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Comparative evaluation of hesperetin-loaded graphene oxide nanosheets (Hsp-GO) as a drug delivery system for colon cancer: synthesis and anticancer efficiency assessment

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Abstract

Background

Graphene oxide nanosheets (GONS) are recognized for their role in enhancing drug delivery and effectiveness in cancer treatment. With colon cancer being a prevalent global issue and the significant side effects associated with chemotherapy, the primary treatment for colon cancer alongside surgery, there is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies to support patients in combating this disease. Hesperetin (HSP), a natural compound found in specific fruits, exhibits anti-cancer properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of GONS on the LS174t colon cancer cell line.

Methods

In this study, an anti-cancer nano-drug was synthesized by creating a hesperetin-graphene oxide nanocomposite (Hsp-GO), which was subsequently evaluated for its efficacy through in vitro cell toxicity assays. Three systems were investigated: HSP, GONS, and HSP-loaded GONS, to determine their cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic impacts on the LS174t colon cancer cell line, along with assessing the expression of BAX and BCL2. The morphology and properties of both GO and Hsp-GO were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Results

The Hsp-GO nanocomposite displayed potent cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects on LS174t colon cancer cells, outperforming individual treatments with HSP or GONS. Cell viability assays showed a significant decrease in cell viability with Hsp-GO treatment. Analysis of BAX and BCL2 expression revealed elevated BAX and reduced BCL2 levels in Hsp-GO treated cells, indicating enhanced apoptotic activity. Morphological analysis confirmed successful Hsp-GO synthesis, while structural integrity was supported by X-ray diffraction and FTIR analyses.

Conclusions

These study highlight the potential of Hsp-GO as a promising anti-cancer nano-drug for colon cancer therapy.

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Data availability

All data analyzed during this study are included in this published article. Further raw data from the current study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

    Arezou Sabbagh Hadi, Mehdi Haghi, Abolfazl Barzegar, Mohammad Ali & Hosseinpour Feizi

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  1. Arezou Sabbagh Hadi
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  2. Mehdi Haghi
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  3. Abolfazl Barzegar
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  5. Hosseinpour Feizi
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Contributions

A.S. Experimented and wrote the manuscript with support from M.H. and. MA.H. supervised the work and contributed to the design and implementation of the research, the analysis of the results, and the writing of the manuscript. A.B. Prepration of Nanoparticle and analysis. All authors discussed the results and contributed and reviewed the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mehdi Haghi.

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It may not be directly applicable but this study was approved by the Department of Biology committee at the University of Tabriz (14001102).

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Hadi, A.S., Haghi, M., Barzegar, A. et al. Comparative evaluation of hesperetin-loaded graphene oxide nanosheets (Hsp-GO) as a drug delivery system for colon cancer: synthesis and anticancer efficiency assessment. Mol Biol Rep 51, 591 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-024-09504-7

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