Paclitaxel-Loaded Selenium Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis in HeLa and MCF-7 cells Through Mitochondrial Damage and Reactive Oxygen Species Generation

Increasing research on selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) makes it a potential nanocarrier to deliver anticancer drugs. Herein, we reported synthesis, characterization of F-127 stabilized paclitaxel loaded SeNPs (PTX-SeNPs) for... [ view full abstract ]

Increasing research on selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) makes it a potential nanocarrier to deliver anticancer drugs. Herein, we reported synthesis, characterization of F-127 stabilized paclitaxel loaded SeNPs (PTX-SeNPs) for evaluating chemotherapeutic effects on human cervical cancer (HeLa) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. Characterizations of the synthesized SeNPs and drug loaded SeNPs were performed using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Paclitaxel loading on SeNPs and its release were monitored using UV visible spectroscopy. Cell viability assays indicated dose dependant growth inhibition of HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines by PTX-SeNPs. Experimental results indicate that SeNPs treatment could cause cell cycle arrest, reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondria damage, which subsequently leads to apoptosis.