Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake capacity of a berberine-loaded nanogold/ collagen drug delivery system in lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. As an emerging technology, nanomedicine offers a more effective and biocompatible approach to treating lung cancer by targeting and killing uncontrolled cancer cells. This study fabricated a nanocarrier system comprising gold nanoparticles, type I collagen, and alkaline berberine (Au-Col-BB). It then thoroughly evaluated the physical and biological properties of this novel drug delivery system. The material properties were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. MTT and Calcein AM staining of A549 lung cancer cells demonstrated that treatment with Au-Col-BB significantly decreased cell viability. Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining and cell cycle progression revealed that treatment with Au-Col-BB increased apoptosis 1.82-fold in A549 cells but decreased apoptosis 0.94-cold in BEAS-2B normal lung cells. The percentage of A549 cells in the sub-G1 phase increased from 4.0 % to 11.6 % (p < 0.001), while the percentage of those in the S phase decreased from 14.5 % to 9.6 % (p < 0.010), indicating enhanced apoptosis and reduced proliferation. Treatment with Au-Col-BB significantly reduced the migration distance of A549 cells by 51 %. Au-Col-BB was found to primarily enter cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis and autophagy, which were inhibited by chlorpromazine and bafilomycin A1, respectively. Retroorbital sinus injection of Au-Col-BB into BALB/c mice demonstrated its integrity and safety in vivo. Overall, this study suggests that the Au-Col-BB nanocarrier system is a promising alternative for antineoplastic drugs, offering effective cancer cell targeting and apoptosis induction while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.