Antitumor effect of lavender essential oil-synthesized nanoparticles against MCF7 and SKBR3 cancer cell lines: Cytotoxicity and gene expression analysis
Elham Mojodi, Seyed Kazem Sabbagh, Kamal Shahamiri, Mahya Rajabi · Biomedical Research and Therapy · 2025
Introduction: Lavandula angustifolia L. (Lamiaceae family) displays notable cytotoxic properties against bacteria and fungi, as well as antioxidant activity. Recently, drug delivery systems for cancer therapy have focused on novel carrier designs that demonstrate high efficiency and reduced side effects. The encapsulation and delivery of bioactive agents through essential oils has emerged as a new strategy in cancer research. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nanoparticles synthesized using L. angustifolia essential oil on MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell lines. Methods: Physical and chemical parameters—specifically, particle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index—were optimized using various techniques. Chemical composition analyses via GC/MS identified thirteen components in the essential oil. Eucalyptol, (+)-2-Bornanone, and endo-Borneol were the major fractions, while acetic acid and p-Cymen-7-ol appeared in smaller amounts. Zeta potential measurements revealed the electrical charge on particle surfaces, and FTIR analysis displayed distinct peaks corresponding to functional groups. Cell viability was assessed via MTT assay to evaluate nanoparticle toxicity against MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cells. Results: The synthesized nanoliposome showed notable cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cells, with IC50 values of 305 ± 0.29 and 400 ± 0.39 µg/ml, respectively. Expression of the caspase-3 gene increased approximately 2-fold in both treated cell lines at 48 hours after treatment, while Bcl2 expression decreased. The control group showed the lowest level of caspase-3 expression. Conclusion: These findings suggest that nanoparticles synthesized from L. angustifolia essential oil, particularly those enriched with Eucalyptol and Bornanone, can enhance the precision of chemotherapeutic targeting in breast cancer. This nanoliposome formulation could be a promising novel candidate for pharmaceutical applications and improved cancer therapies.