Evaluation of the Effect of Niosomal Nano-Carriers Containing Rosemary(Rosemary officinalis) Essential oil on Survival of KG-1 Cell Line of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Introduction: The use of nanotechnology in drug delivery to the cells can somewhat address some of the problems involved in the delivery of herbal medicines, including non-targeting and high oxidizing features. Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the niosomal nano-carriers containing Rosmarinus officinalisessential oil to improve itsphysicochemical characteristics and increase its antitumor properties.   Materials & Methods: The vesicles of niosome were preparedby thin-film method using span 60, cholesterol and polyethylene glycol and the Rosmarinus officinalisessential oil were loaded into the niosomes. Thereafter, theirphysicochemical characteristics were evaluated using Zeta Sizer, FTIR, SEM, and the essential oil release amount was calculated at 37° C and 42° C. Finally, MTT assay was performed to assess the toxicity of the nano-carrier containingessential oil against the KG-1 cell line of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).   Findings: The results of the present study indicated thatprepared nano-carriers containing essential oil have encapsulation efficiency, size and zeta potential include 86.75 , 73.6 nm and -45.46 mV, respectively. SEM images have indicated the spherical morphology of nano-niosomes.Furthermore,the results showed the appropriate position of the essential oil in the nano-carriers and controlled release at 37oC and 42oC. Additionally, MTT assay results demonstrate that the encapsulated essential oil has a higher toxicity against KG-1 cell line than the free essential oil.   Discussion & Conclusions: The results of this study, while confirming the method used for niosomesynthesizing, the use of niosome as an effective carrier for essential oil encapsulation ,andits slow-releasing feature, suggests that this nanosystem can increase its stability without altering the chemical nature of the essential oil.Accordingly, it can be suitable for the delivery of rosemary essential oils to KG-1 cells the and the exertion of its effects on the cells.