Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes Loaded with Tamoxifen and Their Anticancer Potential against Human Breast Cancer Cells

Background & Objectives: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) serve as molecular carriers for in vivo and in vitro delivery. Initial studies have suggested that nanotubes in drug delivery can enhance the therapeutic response to anti-cancer drugs. The present study intended to investigate the effect of CNTs carrying tamoxifen (TAM-CNTs) on the induction of apoptosis in the MDA-MB-۲۳۱ cell line. Materials & Methods: The cells were treated with various concentrations of TAM and TAM-CNTs. The IC۵۰ for these compounds was determined using a MTT assay. The cells were then treated with a lower concentration of IC۵۰. The BAX and BCL-۲ genes expression were evaluated by Real-Time PCR and Western blot. Flow cytometry was employed for evaluating apoptosis induction by TAM and TAM-CNTs. Results: The IC۵۰ value of TAM and TAM-CNTs in a ۴۸-hour period was ۶۶.۱۹ mg/mL and ۳۶.۵۹ mg/mL, respectively. The results demonstrated that BAX in the cells treated with TAM and TAM-CNTs was upregulated ۳.۶۴ and ۷.۸۸ times, respectively (P <۰.۰۵). Conversely, BCL-۲ was downregulated ۳.۹۸ and ۵.۳۱ times (P <۰.۰۵). Furthermore, Western blot experiments confirmed the expression of BAX and BCL-۲ proteins based on their gene expression. Flow cytometry results indicated that the viability of MDA-MB-۲۳۱ cells in the control group, TAM-treated, and TAM-CNTs-treated cells was ۹۵.۳%, ۶۴.۹%, and ۱۳.۷۵%, respectively. This suggests that TAM-CNTs significantly diminishes cell viability compared to TAM (P <۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: The findings revealed that TAM accompanied by CNTs exhibits a greater cytotoxic and apoptotic effect on MDA-MB-۲۳۱ cells.

کلیدواژه ها:

Tamoxifen ، Carbon Nanotubes ، Nano-delivery system ، Apoptosis