Onion Extract Encapsulated on Nano Chitosan: a Promising Anticancer Agent

• Published in: Journal of gastrointestinal cancer Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 211 - 216
• Main Authors: Alzandi, Abdulrahman Ali, Naguib, Deyala M., Abas, Al-Shimaa M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.03.2022
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Cancer Research; Chitosan; Gastroenterology; Humans; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Onions; Original Research; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Radiotherapy; HCT116; Antioxidant; AsPC-1; HEP2; HepG2 MCF-7; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 1941-6628; 1941-6636
• DOI: 10.1007/s12029-020-00561-2

Background Onion ( Allium cepa ) is very rich in nutritional and pharmaceutical components, such as saponins, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, and phenols. Many recent researches approved its anticancer activity against various cancer cell lines. In this paper, we attempt to improve its anticancer activity with encapsulation on nano chitosan. On the best of our knowledge, this is considered the first study that tries to increase the anticancer activity of the onion extract on nano chitosan. Methods An aqueous extract of the onion was prepared and the extract efficiency as anticancer agent was enhanced by encapsulating the extract on nano chitosan. The antioxidant capacity and the functional ingredients such as alkaloid, tannin, saponin, steroid, phenolic, and flavonoid in either the free or encapsulated one were estimated. Also, the anticancer activity of the two extracts was tested against different cell lines. Results Encapsulation of the extract on chitosan nano particles decreased IC 50 in different cell lines and induced apoptosis through decreasing BCL-2 level and increasing caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity. Conclusion Onion extract encapsulated on nano chitosan can be used as protective agents from cancer, antitumor, or act synergistically with the cancer chemotherapy. This greatly participates in improving the use of natural products in cancer therapy instead of chemotherapy.