Title:Crocin-loaded Niosomal Nanoparticles Reversing Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in HEK293 Cell Line Exposed to Paraquat: An In vitro Study
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Author(s): Akram Oftadeh Harsin, Sajjad Makhdoomi, Meysam Soleimani, Farzin Firozian, Amir Nili-Ahmadabadi and Akram Ranjbar*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research
Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Keywords:
Paraquat, crocin, niosome, human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell, oxidative stress, cell lines.
Abstract:
Background: Paraquat (PQ) is an effective herbicide which is widely used around the
world to remove weeds in agriculture. As a water-soluble carotenoid, crocin is a pharmacologically
active constituent of C. sativus L. (saffron).
Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the effects of crocin-loaded niosomes (Cro-NIO)
compared to free crocin on PQ-induced toxicity in the eukaryotic human embryonic kidney
(HEK293) cell line.
Methods: The Cro-NIO was synthesized and characterized. Cell viability was determined using the
MTT assay in PQ-exposed HEK293 cell lines. The activities of biochemical markers were quantitatively
determined to reveal the potential mechanism of PQ-induced oxidative stress in HEK293 cell
line.
Results: The particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), DL, and EE of Cro-NIO were
145.4 ± 19.5 nm, -22.3 ± 3.11 mV, 0.3 ± 0.03, 1.74 ± 0.01%, and 55.3 ± 7.1%, respectively. PQtreated
HEK293 cell lines decreased cell viability. The results of oxidative status showed that PQ
significantly could increase ROS accumulation, accompanied by a decreasing antioxidant defense
system. However, treatment with Cro-NIO, compared to crocin, not only did dose-dependently improve
the cell viability but also significantly attenuated the ROS accumulation and increased antioxidant
markers.
Conclusion: According to these results, Cro-NIO, compared to crocin, was superior to ameliorating
PQ-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in HEK293 cells.