A groundbreaking study published in BMC Cancer unveils a promising nanotechnology-driven approach to breast cancer treatment through the use of solanine-loaded niosome nanoparticles (SN-NPs). This innovative strategy harnesses the anticancer and antimetastatic properties of solanine, a glycoalkaloid compound known for its regulatory effects on apoptosis and metastasis-related genes. By encapsulating solanine within meticulously synthesized niosome nanoparticles, researchers have significantly enhanced its delivery, efficacy, and bioavailability, offering fresh hope for breast cancer therapies.
Solanine has long been recognized for its ability to modulate gene expression related to programmed cell death and metastatic potential across diverse cancer types. However, its clinical application has faced formidable challenges due to solubility issues and potential systemic toxicity at therapeutic doses. The research team addressed these obstacles by engineering nanoscale carriers leveraging niosomes—biocompatible, non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles capable of encapsulating hydrophobic compounds such as solanine with high efficiency.
The optimized SN-NPs synthesized through thin-layer hydration exhibited an average size range between 50 and 70 nanometers, striking a delicate balance between cellular uptake efficiency and systemic circulation. The polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.452 revealed moderate homogeneity, indicating a stable formulation suitable for therapeutic applications. Most notably, the encapsulation efficiency surpassed 82%, underpinning the nanoparticles’ potential to deliver a substantial payload of solanine directly to cancer cells.
Characterizing the release kinetics of SN-NPs revealed a pH-dependent dual-phase pattern. An initial burst release occurred rapidly at physiological and acidic conditions (pH 7 and pH 5, respectively), followed by a sustained, controlled release phase. This biphasic release profile is critical for maximizing anti-tumor action while mitigating premature systemic dispersion and degradation of solanine. The sustained release ensures prolonged exposure of tumor cells to the therapeutic agent, potentially improving clinical outcomes.
The cytotoxic potential of SN-NPs was rigorously evaluated against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, a widely used model representing estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. MTT assays demonstrated a remarkable decrease in the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) from 40 mg/100 mL in free solanine treatments to an impressive 5 mg/100 mL after 72 hours of SN-NP exposure. This marked enhancement in cytotoxic efficacy underscores the advantages of nanocarrier-mediated delivery in overcoming solanine’s prior pharmacokinetic limitations.
Beyond cytotoxicity, flow cytometry analyses delineated the mode of cell death induced by the solanine-loaded nanoparticles. After prolonged exposure, 30% of MCF-7 cells progressed to late apoptosis, whereas only a minor fraction underwent necrosis, indicating a favorable apoptotic pathway preference which is generally associated with reduced inflammation and better therapeutic indices. Furthermore, 81% of cells were arrested in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, effectively halting proliferation and allowing apoptotic pathways to dominate.
At the molecular level, quantitative PCR analyses revealed significant upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax and cell adhesion molecule CDH-1 genes, while concurrently downregulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and extracellular matrix-degrading MMP2 genes. This gene expression profile aligns with the phenotypic observations, confirming that SN-NPs not only induce cancer cell death but also impair metastatic potential—key steps in thwarting tumor progression.
The sophisticated design of SN-NPs offers more than mere delivery; it provides a targeted, controlled-release platform that maximizes solanine’s therapeutic window while minimizing off-target effects. By facilitating intracellular trafficking and sustained release within tumor microenvironments, these nanoparticles amplify solanine’s natural ability to tip the balance towards apoptosis and impair invasive behaviors in malignancies.
Given the versatility and biocompatibility of niosomes, their use as nanocarriers extends beyond solanine, portending a broader paradigm shift in oncological nanomedicine. The ability to encapsulate diverse hydrophobic agents, tune release kinetics, and achieve efficient cellular uptake positions niosomes as formidable tools in the arsenal against cancer.
Moreover, the study’s comprehensive approach—integrating physicochemical characterization, cytotoxicity assays, flow cytometric cell cycle and apoptosis analyses, and gene expression profiling—affords a panoramic view of SN-NPs’ therapeutic potential. This multi-layered validation strengthens the case for advancing such nanocarrier systems into preclinical and clinical testing phases.
The implications of this research resonate beyond the laboratory, illuminating a path toward integrating natural bioactive compounds with cutting-edge nanotechnology. Solanine, once limited by pharmacological hurdles, emerges as a candidate for effective breast cancer intervention when delivered via intelligent nanosystems designed to surmount physiological barriers.
While current therapies often grapple with systemic toxicity and multidrug resistance, such nanoformulations offer the promise of precision medicine—delivering lethal blows to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This strategy could complement existing chemotherapeutic regimens or even redefine frontline treatments for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers.
As the global burden of breast cancer continues to rise, innovations that enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce adverse effects are urgently needed. Solanine-loaded niosomes exemplify how merging phytochemical potency with nanotechnological sophistication can catalyze breakthroughs in oncological care.
Future studies must now focus on in vivo evaluations, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and long-term safety profiling of SN-NPs, paving the way for clinical translation. The promising preclinical data lays a solid foundation for these endeavors, suggesting that nanoengineered solanine could soon become a vital component in the fight against breast cancer.
In summary, this pioneering research not only revives interest in solanine as an anticancer agent but also exemplifies the power of nanotechnology to transform natural products into clinically viable therapeutics. The strategic engineering of SN-NPs marks a milestone toward more effective, less toxic, and precisely targeted breast cancer treatments that leverage the best of both biology and materials science.
Subject of Research: Breast cancer treatment using solanine-loaded niosome nanoparticles to assess anticancer and antimetastatic properties.
Article Title: A potential new strategy for BC treatment: NPs containing solanine and evaluation of its anticancer and antimetastatic properties.
Article References:
Zargarani, N., Kavousi, M. & Aliasgari, E. A potential new strategy for BC treatment: NPs containing solanine and evaluation of its anticancer and antimetastatic properties. BMC Cancer 25, 860 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14249-y
Image Credits: Scienmag.com
