Nanoformulated rosemary extract impact on oral cancer: in vitro study

Abstract

Abstract Background Treating cancer is challenging for both the patient and the physician. This may be explained by the fact that treatment regimens rely on either chemotherapy alone or a combination with radiotherapy. Both modalities have damaging side effects that add to the patient suffer. This inconvenience from the patient part has led scientists to search for discovering new era in cancer management. Plant extracts have proved to be beneficial in many medical fields. Not surprisingly, tumor prevention and therapy is one of these bright fields. Rosmarinus Officinalis has attracted many researchers due to its diverse pharmaceutical capabilities. New drug delivery systems must be set to overcome biomedical as well as biophysical barriers. Nanoformulation of therapeutic agents may help bypassing these burdens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of rosemary extract (RE) loaded on chitosan nanoparticles as a cancer treatment modality. Synthesis of nanoparticles encapsulating rosemary extract was performed with subsequent characterization by electron microscopy. Assessment of their effect on OSCC cell line (Hep-2) regarding cell cytotoxicity and impact on cell cycle and apoptotic pathway as well as intracellular ROS quantification was performed. Results RE nanoparticles were found to be cytotoxic to Hep-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. They induced apoptotic changes as well as cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. They enhanced ROS expression in cancer cells. Autophagosomes appeared in treated cells. Conclusion Finally, it could be concluded that RE nanoparticles may be a new candidate in the field of cancer management, mainly oral cancer.