Chitosan-embedded β-cyclodextrin-magnetic graphene oxide nanoparticles for curcumin loading: evaluating cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in esophageal cancer.

The high mortality rate associated with esophageal cancer highlights the critical need for innovative therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of Curcumin@β-CD-MGO/CS nanoparticles on YM1 and KYSE-30 esophageal cancer cells. YM1, KYSE-30, and normal HFF-1 cell lines were treated with varying concentrations of Curcumin@β-CD-MGO/CS nanoparticles. Cell viability was evaluated using the Resazurin assay, while reactive oxygen species levels and total antioxidant capacity were measured in both cancer cell lines. The expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and P53 genes were quantified using real-time PCR. The Curcumin@β-CD-MGO/CS were synthesized with impressive entrapment efficiency. This formulation exhibited selective toxicity, as it did not inhibit the viability of the normal cell line at concentrations that were cytotoxic to cancer cells. Curcumin@β-CD-MGO/CS induced apoptosis in cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner by upregulating pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and P53) and downregulating the antiapoptotic gene (Bcl-2). Additionally, the nanoparticles increased the production of reactive oxygen species while reducing the antioxidant capacity within the cancerous cells, further contributing to their antitumor effects. The significant cytotoxic and lethal effects of Curcumin nanoparticles on human esophageal cancer cells are likely due to their ability to induce oxidative stress and promote apoptosis.