The potency of chitosan-based Pinus merkusii bark extract nanoparticles as anti-cancer on HeLa cell lines

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Cervical cancer accounts for the fourth as a cause of death from cancer in women worldwide, with more than 85% of events and deaths occurring in developing countries. The main problems of chemotherapy are the lack of selectivity and drug resistance. This study aimed to investigate the signal transduction of chitosan-based Pinus merkusii bark extract nanoparticles (Nano-PMBE) as an anticancer on HeLa cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nano-PMBE was prepared based on the ionic gelation method. Its anticancer activities in HeLa cells were investigated through cytotoxicity test, cell cycle, and apoptosis analysis. The expression of p53 and caspase-9 was also observed. RESULTS: The results showed that Nano-PMBE has a size of 394.3 nm. Meanwhile, the Nano-PMBE was cytotoxic to HeLa cells (IC(50) of 384.10 µg/ml), caused G0/G1 phase arrest and cell apoptosis in HeLa cells. Besides, the expression of p53 and caspase-9 has increased. CONCLUSION: The results showed a notable anticancer effect of Nano-PMBE by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis in HeLa cells, suggesting that it might have therapeutic potential for cervical cancer. Further research is needed to find out more about the anticancer mechanism of Nano-PMBE in HeLa cells to in vivo and clinical studies.