Antitumor Activity of Chitosan-Coated Iron Oxide Nanocomposite Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Animal Models
Monda M. M. Badawy, Gehan R. Abdel‐Hamid, Hebatallah E. Mohamed
Abstract
Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most prevalent and lethal cancers worldwide. Chitosan-coated iron oxide nanocomposite (Fe 3 O 4 /Cs) is a promising bio-nanomaterial for many biological applications. The objective of this research was to evaluate the anticancer efficacy of Fe 3 O 4 /Cs against HCC in animal models. Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were prepared and added to chitosan solution; then, the mixture was exposed to gamma radiation at a dose of 20 kGy. Rats have received diethylnitrosamine (DEN) orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight 5 times per week during a period of 10 weeks to induce HCC and then have received Fe 3 O 4 /Cs intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight 3 times per week during a period of 4 weeks. After the last dose of Fe 3 O 4 /Cs administration, animals were sacrificed. DEN induced upregulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK (ERK, JNK, P38) signaling pathways and inflammatory markers (TLR4, iNOS, and TNF-α). DEN also decreases cleaved caspase-3 and increases liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and GGT) activities. Administration of Fe 3 O 4 /Cs significantly ameliorated the above-mentioned parameters.