Preparation and Evaluation of Anti-Cancer Effect of Lactobacillus Casei-Containing Niosome on Breast Cancer Cells Viability

The present study aimed to design and characterize the L. casei-loaded niosomal formulation and to evaluate the antitumor and apoptotic efficacy of probiotic-loaded niosome against the MCF7 cell line. Niosomal formulation was synthesized using the thin-layer hydration method, and the optimal synthesis was confirmed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The stability of probiotic-loaded niosomes was assessed for 30 days in two different storage environments. The cytotoxicity experiment was conducted on the MCF7 cancer cell line and the normal HFF cells by treating various concentrations of probiotic-loaded niosomes using an MTT assay. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the expression of BCL-2, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 genes in treated cancerous cells. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the number of apoptotic/necrotic cells. MTT results demonstrated that all concentrations of probiotics alone and probiotic-loaded niosomes significantly reduced MCF7 cancer cell viability at 48 and 72 h. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of these substances toward cancer cells was concentration- and time-dependent. Compared to cells treated with probiotics alone, cells treated with probiotic-loaded niosomes showed a marked increase in the expression of proapoptotic genes and a decrease in the expression of the BCL2 gene. Moreover, an increase was observed in the percentage of apoptotic cells in MCF7 cells treated with probiotic-loaded niosomes compared to the control and probiotic-treated group. The findings demonstrated that encapsulation of probiotics increases their stability and cytotoxic potency and induces apoptosis by altering apoptotic gene expression.