Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Effect of Nanoliposomes loaded with curcumin and miR-34a on MCF-7 and HT29 Cell Lines

Background and aims Colorectal and breast cancers are among the most important causes of mortality in the world. In spite of several attempts, their treatment is yet faced with several problems. Therefore, identification of novel therapeutic approaches is needed. Anti-cancer effects of curcumin and miR-34a have been proposed in various studies. Regarding their pro-apoptotic effects in cancer cells, we decided to deliver these two therapeutics simultaneously to cancer cells by using nanoliposomes in order to increase their effect and decrease possible side effects and administration dose, in vitro. Methods  In the present study, the anticancer effect of nano-liposomes containing curcumin and miR-34a on colorectal (HT-29) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines was investigated. Results and Conclusions  The results showed that encapsulation of miR-34a and curcumin increased their efficacy. Moreover, curcumin-loaded nano-liposomes could kill cancerous cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, miR34a-loaded nano-liposomes killed cancer cells at 5 nM concentration after 48 hr. Moreover, co-delivery of curcumin and miR-34a synergistically induced cell death in both cell lines after 48 hr, as demonstrated by MTT and flow cytometry assays. Our findings indicated that co-delivery of curcumin and miR-34a via nano-liposomes can be considered as novel combinatorial therapeutic approach for cancer therapy which can further be evaluated, in vivo.