{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Potentiation of Folate-Functionalized PLGA-PEG nanoparticles loaded with metformin for the treatment of breast Cancer: possible clinical application.
{Author}: Jafari-Gharabaghlou D;Dadashpour M;Khanghah OJ;Salmani-Javan E;Zarghami N;
{Journal}: Mol Biol Rep
{Volume}: 50
{Issue}: 4
{Year}: Apr 2023
{Factor}: 2.742
{DOI}: 10.1007/s11033-022-08171-w
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Folate receptor expression increase up to 30% in breast cancer cells and could be used as a possible ligand to couple to folate-functionalized nanoparticles. Metformin (Met) is an anti-hyperglycemic agent whose anti-cancer properties have been formerly reported. Consequently, in the current study, we aimed to synthesize and characterize folate-functionalized PLGA-PEG NPs loaded with Met and evaluate the anti-cancer effect against the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>FA-PLGA-PEG NPs were synthesized by employing the W1/O/W2 technique and their physicochemical features were evaluated by FE-SEM, TEM, FTIR, and DLS methods. The cytotoxic effects of free and Nano-encapsulated drugs were analyzed by the MTT technique. Furthermore, RT-PCR technique was employed to assess the expression levels of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>MTT result indicated Met-loaded FA-PLGA-PEG NPs exhibited cytotoxic effects in a dose-dependently manner and had more cytotoxic effects relative to other groups. The remarkable down-regulation (hTERT and Bcl-2) and up-regulation (Caspase7, Caspase3, Bax, and p53) gene expression were shown in treated MDA-MB-231 cells with Met-loaded FA-PLGA-PEG NPs.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Folate-Functionalized PLGA-PEG Nanoparticles are suggested as an appropriate approach to elevate the anticancer properties of Met for improving the treatment effectiveness of breast cancer cells.