Anti-cancer activity of naringenin loaded smart polymeric nanoparticles in breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women worldwide, and approximately comprise 25% of all female malignancies. Naringenin (Nar) is a promising anticancer agent for breast cancer. However, its use as a therapeutic agent is limited due to its poor water solubility and bioavailability. The purpose of the present study is to prepare pH and thermo sensitive smart polymeric nanoparticles carrying naringenin (NarSPNPs) to improve bioavailability, and increase therapeutic efficacy against breast cancer. N-isopropylacrylamide and Vinyl imidazole were used as thermo and pH sensitive monomers, respectively. NarSPNPs were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses, SEM and FTIR for particle size and potential analysis, surface morphology and functional group determinations, respectively. Release profile and its effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle in breast cancer were also studied. Physicochemical characterization of newly prepared NarSPNPs, cytotoxicity, and IC50 assessments confirmed their stability and bioactivity as an anti-breast cancer agent with no toxicity against human epithelia cells. These findings together with flow cytometry analysis, revealed that apoptosis is the main mechanism underlying cell death after NarSPNPs treatment.