Nanoliposomal formulation of Ecballium elaterium Extract: Cytotoxic Evaluation against Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma (AGS) Cell Line

Objective(s): The aim of this study was to determine cytotoxic effect of nanoliposomal form of lyophilized aqueous extract of Ecballium elaterium fruit on gastric cell line (AGS) using cell viability tests. Methods: An aqueous extract of the fruits of Ecballium elaterium was prepared. Nanoliposomal form was also prepared by thin-film hydration method and stability size was determined by SEM. The zeta potential and size characterized by Malvern zetasizer. Cytotoxic effect of the nanoliposomes encapsulated the extract on cell line was examined by MTT, Neutral Red and Frame methods. Results: The size of nanoliposomes was 218.2 nm with proper dispersion (PDI=0.3). The morphology of the liposomes was suitable according to SEM image. The IC50 values indicated that the nanoliposomal form of extract was 2-3 times more active than extract alone. The average IC50 values for extract and nanoliposomal form of extract were 1±0.1 and 0.39±0.02 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusions: The results from this study showed that the crude extract and nanoliposomal form extract of Ecballium elaterium have cytotoxicity effect on AGS cell line and these cells were significantly more susceptible to nanoliposomes encapsulated Ecballium elaterium extract than that of the extract itself.