Toxicity and Apoptotic Effect of Nanoliposomes Containing Curcumin and miR-34a on Colorectal Cancer Cells (HT-29) and Breast Cancer(MCF-7)

Colorectal and breast cancer are the leading causes of death in the world. The aim of the present study was to determine the toxicity and apoptosis effect of nanoliposomes containing curcumin and miR-34a on colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) and breast cancer (MCF-7).

In the present experimental study conducted in 2018, nanoliposomes containing two compounds of curcumin and miR-34a were prepared and characterized using dynamic light scattering analysis and transmission electron microscopy. To evaluate the effect of nanoliposomes, HT-29 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines were cultured in DMEM and RPMI 1640 with bovine fetal serum and antibiotics, respectively. Cells were treated with nanoliposomes containing curcumin, miR-34a and nanoliposomes containing curcumin and miR-34a, and their viability was determined by MTT assay. Also, the percentage of cell death (apoptosis) was measured using flow cytometry. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and one-way ANOVA. 

The results indicated that co-administration of miR-34a and curcumin increased their anticancer effect. In addition, curlumin-containing nanoliposomes can kill cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, nanoliposomes containing miR34a killed cancer cells at a concentration of 5 nM after 48 hours. The results of MTT assay and apoptosis analysis using flow cytometry showed that simultaneous transfer of curcumin and miR-34a enhanced their effect on both cell lines (HT-29) and (MCF-7) after 48 hours.

The present results revealed that the loading of miR-34a and curcumin in nanoliposomes significantly increases their effects. In addition, co-administration of these drugs synergistically enhances their anti-cancer effects. The findings of the present study exhibited that the concomitant use of curcumin and miR-34a via nanoliposomes could be considered as a new combination therapy for cancer treatment.