Anticancer Effect of Alginate-chitosan Hydrogel Loaded with Curcumin and Chrysin on Lung and Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Objective: We conducted the present study to investigate the anticancer effects of curcumin and chrysin loaded in the alginate-chitosan hydrogel on breast cancer (T47D) and lung cancer (A549). Background: Cancer, which is defined as abnormal cell growth, is one of the biggest public health problems in the world. Natural compounds, such as polyphenols, are used as chemo-preventive and chemotherapeutic agents in different types of cancer owing to their antioxidant, antineoplastic, and cytotoxic properties. To improve their bioavailability and releasing behavior, hydrogel systems with high drug loadingg, stability and hydrophilic nature have been designed. Methods: The curcumin-chrysin-loaded alginate-chitosan hydrogels were prepared through the ionic gelation mechanism utilizing CaCl2. The prepared hydrogels were studied by using the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The MTT and DAPI staining assays were employed for cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies of curcumin-chrysin- loaded alginate-chitosan hydrogels. The effects of the curcumin-chrysin-loaded alginate-chitosan hydrogels on the cell cycle of cell lines T47D and A549 were also evaluated using the propidium iodide staining. Results: The curcumin-chrysin-loaded alginate-chitosan hydrogels could significantly (p<0.05) reduce the viability and induce apoptosis. Morover G2/M causes arrest of the cell cycle in both A549 and T47D cell lines. Conclusion: The alginate-chitosan hydrogels could work best as an enhanced anticancer drug delivery system.