pH-responsive and targeted delivery of chrysin via folic acid-functionalized mesoporous silica nanocarrier for breast cancer therapy

Cancer is a disease of global importance. In order to mitigate conventional chemotherapy-related side effects, phytochemicals with inherent anticancer efficacy have been opted. However, the use of nanotechnology is essential to enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of these phytochemicals. Herein, we have formulated folic acid conjugated polyacrylic acid capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (-47.6 nm in diameter) for pH-dependent targeted delivery of chrysin to breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. Chrysin loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Chr-mSiO(2)@PAA/FA) have been noted to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through oxidative insult and mitochondrial dysfunction with subsequent G(1) arrest. Further, in tumor bearing mice, intravenous incorporation of Chr-mSiO(2)@PAA/FA has been noticed to enhance the anti-neoplastic effects of chrysin via tumor site-specific accumulation. Enhanced cytotoxicity of chrysin contributed towards in vivo tumor regression, restoration of normalized tissue architecture and maintenance of healthy body weight. Besides, no serious systemic toxicity was manifested in response to Chr-mSiO(2)@PAA/FA administration in vivo. Thus, the study evokes about the anticancer potentiality of chrysin and its increased therapeutic activity via incorporation into folic acid conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles, which may hold greater impact in field of future biomedical research.