Data from: Niclosamide loaded biodegradable chitosan nanocargoes: an in vitro study for the potential application in cancer therapy

Chitosan nanoparticles can advance the pharmacological and therapeutic properties of the chemotherapeutic agents by controlling release rates and targeted delivery process, which eliminates the limitations of conventional anti-cancer therapies and also safe as well as cost effective. The aim of present study is to explore the anti-tumor effect of niclosamide in lung and breast cancer cell line using biocompatible and biodegradable carrier where nanoparticles loaded with hydrophobic drug (niclosamide) were synthesized, characterized and applied as a stable anticancer agent. Niclosamide loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Nic-Chi Np's) of size approximately100-120 nm in diameter containing hydrophobic anticancer drug i.e. niclosamide was prepared. Physico-chemical characterization such as TEM, DLS, SEM, FTIR, XRD, and TGA confirms that the prepared nanoparticles are spherical, monodispersed, and stable in aqueous systems. The therapeutic efficacy of Nic-Chi Np's was evaluated against breast (MCF-7) and human lung cancer cell line (A549). MTT assay reveals the cell viability of the prepared Nic-Chi Np's against A549 and MCF-7 cells and obtained an IC50 value as 8.75µM and 7.5µM, respectively. Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide dual staining (AO/EB) results verified that loss of the majority of the cells by apoptosis. Flow cytometer analysis quantified the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and signifies that exposure to a higher concentration (2XIC50) of Nic-Chi Np's resulted in elevated ROS generation. Notably, Nic-Chi Np's treatment showed more apoptosis and cell death in MCF-7 as compared to A549. Further, the remarkable induction of apoptosis by Nic-Chi Np's was confirmed by semi quantitative RT-PCR, SEM and cell cycle analysis. Thus, Nic-Chi Np's may have a great potential even at low concentration for anticancer therapy and it may replace or substitute more toxic anti-mitotic drugs in near future.