Ultrasonic Nano emulsification of Apricot Kernel Oil and Its Therapeutics Effects on Suppression of Human Lung Cancer Cells (A549)

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study was conducted with the aim of synthesising nanoemulsion of apricot kernel oil (AKO-NE) and evaluating its cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic, antioxidant and anti-angiogenic effects. The AKO-NE was synthesised by ultrasound (150 watt for 2 min) using a combination of Tween 20 and 80 as surfactant and ethylene glycol as co surfactant. Antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH scavenging free radicals) and toxicity of AKO-NE (MTT assay) and its effects on the process of apoptosis (Flow cytometry and qPCR for BCL-2, Caspase 3, 7, 9) were evaluated by specialised methods. Then, the effect of AKO-NE on angiogenesis was measured by CAM and qPCR (VEGF and VEGFR) methods. The AKO-NE showed acceptable antioxidant power and selective toxicity effects against lung cancer cells (162.7 µl/mL). The pro-apoptotic effects of AKO-NE were confirmed by increasing the number of SubG1 phase cells in flow cytometry and increasing the expression of Cas-3, 7 and 9 genes and decreasing the expression of BCL-2 gene in qPCR method. Decreased vascular and foetal growth factors in the CAM model as well as decreased expression of VEGF and VEGF-R genes in AKO-NE-treated cells confirmed the inhibitory effects of AKO-NE on angiogenesis. Inhibitory effects of AKO-NE on the growth and proliferation of A549 cancer cells and induction of apoptosis, as well as its effects on reducing angiogenesis, can suggest this nanoemulsion as a useful combination in cancer therapy.