Improved Therapeutic Efficacy: Liposome-Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Delivering Thymoquinone to MCF-7 Cells

Background: Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with thymoquinone showing promise as a therapeutic agent, but hindered by poor solubility. Objective: This study aimed to enhance TQ delivery to MCF-7 breast cancer cells using mesitylene- mesoporous silica nanoparticles coated with liposomes, designed for controlled drug release. Methods: Nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel method and coated with phosphatidylserine- cholesterol liposomes. Different nanocharacterization techniques and in vitro assays were employed to assess the drug release kinetics, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis. Results: The nanoparticles exhibited favorable properties, including a large pore size of 3.6 nm, a surface area of 248.96 m2/g, and a hydrodynamic size of 171.571 ± 8.342 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.182 ± 0.017, indicating uniformity and stability. The successful lipid bilayer coating was confirmed by a zeta potential shift from +6.25 mV to -5.65 mV. The coated nanoparticles demonstrated a slow and sustained drug release profile, with cellular uptake of FITC-formulated nanoparticles being approximately 5-fold higher than free FITC (P < 0.0001). Cytotoxicity assays revealed a significant reduction in cell viability (P < 0.0001), reaching an IC50 value of 25 μM at 48 hours. Apoptosis rates were significantly higher in cells treated with the formulated TQ compared to the free drug and control at both 24 and 48 hours (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: This nanoformulation significantly enhanced TQ delivery, offering a promising strategy for targeted breast cancer therapy. Further preclinical studies are recommended to advance this approach in cancer treatment.