1
Department of Nanobiotechnology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Biology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3
Polymer and Color Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran
4
Department of Biology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer. However, its clinical utility is often limited due to severe side effects and the development of resistance. Curcumin (CUR), a natural polyphenol, has demonstrated anticancer activities. This study aimed to inhibit breast cancer (BC) cell growth using a combination therapy of cold plasma-modified nano-CUR and nano-DOX in BC cells.
Materials and Methods: To enhance the hydrophilicity of CUR, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) modification was performed. The cytotoxic effects of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) nanoparticles loaded with plasma-modified CUR and DOX were evaluated on MCF-7 BC cells and L929 fibroblast cells using the MTT assay. Apoptosis was assessed through the Annexin V assay, and real-time PCR was employed to analyze the expression levels of the TP53 and BAX genes.
Results and Discussion: CAP significantly increased the solubility of CUR (p < 0.05). The combination therapy of nano-CUR and nano-DOX significantly inhibited cell proliferation (p < 0.05). The effective dose of plasma-treated nano-CUR in combination with nano-DOX was lower than that of free CUR and free DOX (p < 0.05). This combination therapy resulted in a marked increase in the level of apoptosis (up to 61%) and significantly upregulated the expression of the P53 and BAX genes in MCF-7 cells (p < 0.05), indicating an enhanced induction of programmed cell death.
Conclusion: The CMC-based co-delivery system of plasma-treated nano-CUR and nano-DOX demonstrated synergistic anticancer activity at reduced effective doses. This combined nanotherapeutic system could serve as a promising candidate for the treatment of BC.
Mohamadali,M , Ghanei,M , Atyabi,S M , Bagheri Khoulenjani,S and Irani,S . (2026). Synergistic Effect of Plasma Modified Curcumin and Nano-Doxorubicin in Breast Cancer Cells. Iranian Biomedical Journal, 30(2), 2-2.
MLA
Mohamadali,M , , Ghanei,M , , Atyabi,S M , , Bagheri Khoulenjani,S , and Irani,S . "Synergistic Effect of Plasma Modified Curcumin and Nano-Doxorubicin in Breast Cancer Cells", Iranian Biomedical Journal, 30, 2, 2026, 2-2.
HARVARD
Mohamadali M, Ghanei M, Atyabi S M, Bagheri Khoulenjani S, Irani S. (2026). 'Synergistic Effect of Plasma Modified Curcumin and Nano-Doxorubicin in Breast Cancer Cells', Iranian Biomedical Journal, 30(2), pp. 2-2.
CHICAGO
M Mohamadali, M Ghanei, S M Atyabi, S Bagheri Khoulenjani and S Irani, "Synergistic Effect of Plasma Modified Curcumin and Nano-Doxorubicin in Breast Cancer Cells," Iranian Biomedical Journal, 30 2 (2026): 2-2,
VANCOUVER
Mohamadali M, Ghanei M, Atyabi S M, Bagheri Khoulenjani S, Irani S. Synergistic Effect of Plasma Modified Curcumin and Nano-Doxorubicin in Breast Cancer Cells. Iranian Biomedical Journal. 2026;30(2):2-2.
Iranian Biomedical Journal