Novel curcumin nanoformulation induces apoptosis, and reduces migration and angiogenesis in liver cancer cells

Background: Curcumin has been used in the treatment of several diseases; however, its low pharmacologic profile reduces its therapeutic use. Towards improving its biological activity, nanoformulations have emerged. Thus, we aimed to determine whether curcumin nanoparticles (Cur-NPs) coated with PEG/chitosan improve the treatment of liver cancer (LC) cells and underpin the molecular mechanisms underlying their anti-cancer activity. Methods: Cur-NPs were synthesised in the form of Cur-PLGA-PEG/chitosan NPs. The effect of Cur-NPs was assessed in HepG2 and Huh 7 LC cells and THLE-2 normal liver cells. Results: The size of synthesised Cur-NPS was determined in the standard range of 141.2 ± 47.5 nm. Compared to THLE-2 cells, LC cells treated with Cur-NPs exerted cytotoxicity at 6.25 µg/mL after 48h. Treatment of HepG-2 cells with 2.5 µg/mL of Cur-NPs inhibited cell migration and this inhibition was augmented at 10 µg/mL (p < 0.001). Treatment of chicken embryo with 5 µg/mL Cur-NPs reduced angiogenesis (p < 0.001) of 4-day-old embryos. The nanoformulation upregulated Bax and p53 and downregulated Bcl-2 in a concentration-dependent manner and subsequently induce apoptosis in HepG-2 cells. Conclusion: Treatment of LC cells with Cur-NPs decreased cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, and induced cell death by promoting the proapoptotic pathway.