Title : A next-generation approach: Hesperetin-graphene oxide nanosheets as an innovative drug delivery system for colon cancer
Abstract:
Colon cancer remains a major global health challenge, and the severe side effects of conventional chemotherapy necessitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate a hesperetin-loaded graphene oxide nanocomposite (Hsp-GO) as an advanced drug delivery system for targeting colon cancer. Hesperetin (HSP), a natural flavonoid with known anti-cancer properties, was loaded onto graphene oxide nanosheets (GONS) to enhance its efficacy. The successful synthesis and structural integrity of the Hsp-GO nanocomposite were confirmed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of Hsp-GO were assessed on the LS174t human colon cancer cell line and compared to treatments with free HSP and GONS alone. Our results demonstrated that the Hsp-GO nanocomposite exhibited significantly superior cytotoxic activity, markedly reducing cell viability. Furthermore, analysis of apoptosis-related genes revealed that Hsp-GO treatment effectively upregulated the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene BAX while downregulating the anti-apoptotic gene BCL2, indicating a potent activation of the apoptotic pathway in cancer cells. These findings collectively underscore the potential of the Hsp-GO nanocomposite as a highly promising and effective nano-drug candidate for colon cancer therapy, offering a compelling alternative to traditional treatment modalities.
