A novel alpha-terpineol-loaded niosome formulation coated with hyaluronic acid and evaluation of its anticancer properties in vitro

Alpha-terpineol (α-T) has been demonstrated to possess anti-cancer properties, however, its high hydrophobicity limits its direct application. This study aimed to prepare niosomes (N) coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) containing alpha-terpineol (α-TN-HA) and evaluate their inhibitory activity against cancer cells. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the hyaluronic acid coated α-TN noisome (α-TN-HA). UV spectroscopy was employed to assess the encapsulation efficiency (EE). α-TN-HAs were studied using several methods, including MTT and AO/PI as well as flow cytometry and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). According to the results, α-TN-HA exhibited a spherical morphology with a size of 279.3 nm, a PDI of 0.30, a charge of −38.6 mV, and an EE of 89.05 %. α-TN-HA exhibited higher cytotoxic effects on cancer cells than normal HFF cells as determined by the cytotoxicity assay. Apoptosis induction was demonstrated in treated cells by the arrest of the SubG1 phase, the increase in apoptotic cells, and increased expression of BAX, P21, and P53 genes. These results suggest that nanoparticles synthesized in this study could be useful for treating cancer.