Effect of curcumin-cisplatin loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles on the expression of BAX and BCL-2 in oral cancer cells (HN5)

Abstract

Introduction: Curcumin is a plant active ingredient with various therapeutic effects, but due to its hydrophobicity, its bioavailability is low. Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug used to treat various cancers. The nanoparticles improve the bioavailability of hydrophobic materials. Combination therapy has better results in oncology than monotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing cisplatin and curcumin on the expression of BAX and BCL2 genes in oral cancer cells (HN5). Materials and Methods: In this study, the effect of mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing curcumin and cisplatin (SI-CUR-CIS), mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing curcumin (SI-CUR) and mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing cisplatin were performed on the expression of BAX and BCL2 genes by Real-time RT-PCR. To do this, first HN5 cells were cultured and then mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing cisplatin and curcumin were treated and after 48 hours, RNA was extracted from the cells. The cDNA synthesis was performed using a special kit and finally the expression level of BAX and BCL2 genes was determined by Real-time PCR. For statistical analysis of data, ANOVA was performed by GraphPad software and a significance level of p≤0.05 was considered. Results: BAX gene expression was significantly increased in HN5 cells treated with SI-CUR-CIS, SI-CUR and SI-CIS (p <0.05) and BCL2 gene expression was significantly decreased in contact with all three compounds (p <0.05). The BAX/BCL2 ratio increased significantly in contact with all three compounds (p <0.05). Conclusion: Due to the increased expression of BAX, BCL2 and BAX/BCL2 genes in oral cancer cells, the mechanism of induction of cell death in all three compounds is the internal pathway of apoptosis, so SI-CUR-CIS can be a suitable option as an anticancer agent.