Targeted Therapies for Breast and Lung Cancers by Using Propolis Loaded Albumin Protein Nanoparticles

Abstract

Abstract Cancer is a popular disease among many others that can threaten defiantly human life. This is not only because of its invasiveness but also because of its resistance and the highly effective cost of its treatment. Propolis is rich in natural sources of bioactive and polyphenolic compounds that have proven their strong effect on cancer cells such as MCF-7 and A549 cell lines. Propolis extract was inserted into the Albumin protein, Bovine Serum (BSA) conjugated to folic acid (FA) to increase control of its delivery and to increase their cellular uptake. The growth of MCF-7 and A549 was significantly decreased by propolis extract and BSA-propolis NPs after their incubation for 72h by (54 ± 0.01% and 45 ± 0.005%, P ≤ 0.001) and (20 ± 0.01% and 10 ± 0.005%, P ≤ 0.0001) respectively. Similarly, there is a significant inhibition in the growth of A549 obtained after their incubation (propolis extract and albumin-propolis NPs) for 72 h (15 ± 0.03% and 5 ± 0.01%, P ≤ 0.00001). Propolis extract and BSA-propolis NPs exhibited a greater effect on protein expression of MCF-7 and A549 showing significant modulation of caspase-3, cyclin D1, and LC3II. The result was supported by the presence of nuclear fragmentations and activation of acidic/neutral autophagosomes in AO/EB and DAPI stains. In the recent investigation, the expression of phospho-GSK3β (Ser9) (p < 0.001) increased significantly in MCF-7 and A549 cells after their exposure to propolis extract and BSA-propolis NPs. Results support the potency application of propolis and its encapsulation as an alternative therapeutic agent for cancer treatments instead of chemotherapies because of its action on multi-signaling pathways.