A potential new strategy for BC treatment: NPs containing solanine and evaluation of its anticancer and antimetastatic properties.

Solanine has been shown to inhibit cancer by regulating the expression of apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2) and metastasis (CDH-1, MMP2) genes in various cancer cell types. We synthesized optimized niosome NPs (NPs) with high solubility and capacity for solanine loading. In this study, the cytotoxic, cell cycle inhibitory and apoptotic effects of solanine-loaded niosome NPs (SN-NPs) on MCF-7 were investigated. Thin-layer hydration was used to generate SN-NPs and their features were validated. The pH-dependent solanine release pattern was also examined. Synthesized SN-NPs were evaluated for cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MCF-10 cell lines using MTT. Primary and secondary apoptosis, necrosis, and cell cycle arrest were measured using flowcytometry. Lastly, q-PCR was used to assess the expression of genes. The NPs had an average size between 50 and 70 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.452. Solanine was effectively incorporated into noisome NPs, as shown by the high encapsulation efficiency of 82.3%±0.24%. After a quick burst at pH 7 and 5, SN-NPs released slowly and sustainedly. The IC of solanine-loaded niosomes against MCF-7 cells decreased from 40 mg/100 mL to 10 mg/100 mL (48 h) and 5 mg/100 mL (72 h). After 72 h, SN-NPs caused late apoptosis in 30% of MCF-7 cells and necrosis in 5.06% (p < 0.01). SN-NPs caused 81% of cells to arrest in the G0/G1 phase, with only 12% progressing to G2/M (p < 0.01). Solanine-loaded NPs significantly increased Bax and CDH-1 gene expression in malignant cells compared to free niosomes and free solanine (p < 0.0001). Bcl-2 and MMP2 expression significantly decreased in this group compared to free niosomes and free solanine (p < 0.001). Solanine-containing niosomes showed significant anticancer effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, which were supported by apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and regulation of gene expression. The regulated release and precise delivery of solanine using SN-NPs show considerable translational potential. This improved nanocarrier technology may increase the bioavailability and efficacy of solanine, potentially leading to improved clinical outcomes in breast cancer therapy.