Evaluation of the Effect of Chitosan-Curcumin Nanoparticles on the Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 Genes in Colorectal Cancer of BALB/C Mice

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadly types of cancer in the world, with multiple genetic and environmental factors contributing to its occurrence. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene is known to be one of the genes involved in inflammatory and carcinogenic processes, and regulating its expression can be effective in controlling cancer progression. Objectives: The present study mainly aimed to evaluate the effect of chitosan/curcumin nanocomposite (Ch/Cr-NPS) on the expression of COX-2 genes in CRC in Balb/c mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female Balb/c mice were selected. The mice were divided into four groups including healthy, cancerous, cancerous mice treated with Ch/Cr-NPS, and cancerous mice treated with cisplatin. Various techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to evaluate the characteristics and confirm the correct synthesis of Ch/Cr-NPS. CT26 cell line was provided in the required amount to inject the group of mice, free from any contamination. After injection of drug treatment at a specific dose and within a specific time interval, the expression of COX-2 genes and the reference gene was examined by real time PCR. For better interpretation of the findings of COX-2 gene expression, the GAPDH gene was considered as a reference gene. The treatment of the selected groups of mice was performed by intraperitoneal injection and therapeutic injections were made at a dose of 100 μL per day for 14 days. In addition, no substance was injected into the untreated group of mice. Excel-Ver.2016 and SPSS-Ver.22 software were used to describe and analyze the obtained data. Results: Based on the findings, the analysis of FTIR data related to the synthesized Ch/Cr-NPS showed that chitosan-loaded nanocurcumin was confirmed by FTIR spectra. The distribution and average particle size in Ch/Cr-NPS were determined using a DLS device. The size of the synthesized nanoparticles was in the range of 100 nm, which was a suitable size for drug delivery. Changes in COX-2 gene expression in different study groups show that there is a significant difference between the group treated with Ch/Cr-NPS compared to the others. Conclusions: Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that Ch/Cr-NPS has the ability to reduce COX-2 gene expression and can be proposed as a complementary therapeutic method in the control of CRC. This study can be an effective step towards the development of novel nanocomposite-based therapies for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.