Alginate and chitosan-coated ferulic acid-loaded selenium nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Med Oncol. 2025 May 5;42(6):198. doi: 10.1007/s12032-025-02756-8.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), characterized by its aggressive behavior and lack of targeted therapies, remains a major therapeutic challenge. This study presents the synthesis and evaluation of ferulic acid-loaded selenium nanoparticles (FA-SeNPs) coated with alginate (Alg@FA-SeNPs) and chitosan (CS@FA-SeNPs) as potential nanocarriers for TNBC treatment. Ferulic acid was selected for its pro-apoptotic and anti-metastatic properties, despite its limited bioavailability. Encapsulation in SeNPs enhanced its stability and delivery efficiency. Alg@FA-SeNPs exhibited greater cytotoxicity (IC50: 103.6 µg/mL) than CS@FA-SeNPs (IC50: 178 µg/mL) after 48 h. Gene expression analyses showed significant H2AX upregulation with Alg@FA-SeNPs, indicating genotoxic stress, and marked Bcl-2 downregulation with CS@FA-SeNPs, favoring apoptosis. Zeta potential measurements confirmed near-neutral surface charge for Alg@FA-SeNPs and strong positive charge for CS@FA-SeNPs, supporting good colloidal stability. These findings highlight the therapeutic promise of biopolymer-coated SeNPs, particularly alginate-coated formulations, as targeted drug delivery systems for TNBC.

Keywords: Alginate; Breast cancer; Breast carcinoma; Chitosan; Ferulic acid; MDA-MB-231 cells; Selenium nanoparticles; Triple-negative.

MeSH terms

  • Alginates* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chitosan* / chemistry
  • Coumaric Acids* / administration & dosage
  • Coumaric Acids* / chemistry
  • Coumaric Acids* / pharmacology
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Female
  • Glucuronic Acid / chemistry
  • Hexuronic Acids / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Selenium* / administration & dosage
  • Selenium* / chemistry
  • Selenium* / pharmacology
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Chitosan
  • Alginates
  • Coumaric Acids
  • ferulic acid
  • Selenium
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Hexuronic Acids
  • Glucuronic Acid
  • Drug Carriers