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Onion Extract Encapsulated on Nano Chitosan: a Promising Anticancer Agent

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An Author Correction to this article was published on 25 January 2021

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Abstract

Background

Onion (Allium cepa) is very rich in nutritional and pharmaceutical components, such as saponins, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, and phenols. Many recent researches approved its anticancer activity against various cancer cell lines. In this paper, we attempt to improve its anticancer activity with encapsulation on nano chitosan. On the best of our knowledge, this is considered the first study that tries to increase the anticancer activity of the onion extract on nano chitosan.

Methods

An aqueous extract of the onion was prepared and the extract efficiency as anticancer agent was enhanced by encapsulating the extract on nano chitosan. The antioxidant capacity and the functional ingredients such as alkaloid, tannin, saponin, steroid, phenolic, and flavonoid in either the free or encapsulated one were estimated. Also, the anticancer activity of the two extracts was tested against different cell lines.

Results

Encapsulation of the extract on chitosan nano particles decreased IC50 in different cell lines and induced apoptosis through decreasing BCL-2 level and increasing caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity.

Conclusion

Onion extract encapsulated on nano chitosan can be used as protective agents from cancer, antitumor, or act synergistically with the cancer chemotherapy. This greatly participates in improving the use of natural products in cancer therapy instead of chemotherapy.

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Funding

This paper was self-funded and we did not take any fund from any organization or person.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, Faculty of Science and Arts in Qilwah, Albaha University, Qilwah, Saudi Arabia

    Abdulrahman Ali Alzandi & Deyala M. Naguib

  2. Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Deyala M. Naguib

  3. Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Al-Shimaa M. Abas

Authors
  1. Abdulrahman Ali Alzandi
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  2. Deyala M. Naguib
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  3. Al-Shimaa M. Abas
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Correspondence to Deyala M. Naguib.

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The original online version of this article was revised: The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in the author group section. The correct name of the first author is “Abdulrahman Ali Alzandi.”

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Alzandi, A.A., Naguib, D.M. & Abas, AS.M. Onion Extract Encapsulated on Nano Chitosan: a Promising Anticancer Agent. J Gastrointest Canc 53, 211–216 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-020-00561-2

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