Formulation, Characterization, and Potential Therapeutic Implications of Encapsulated Recombinant Alpha-Luffin in Niosomes Publisher Pubmed



Joni HA¹ ; Esmaeili F² ; Landi B³ ; Bayat E³ ; Bakhshandeh H⁴ ; Talebkhan Y³ ; Barkhordari F³ ; Sadeghi S⁴ ; Nematollahi L³ ; Negahdari B¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Published:2025

Abstract

Objective: The anticancer properties of recombinant α-luffin (LUF) are well-established. However, the cytotoxic effects of encapsulating LUF within niosomes on the SKBR3 breast cancer cell line have yet to be explored. Our study aimed to investigate whether this encapsulation strategy could improve cytotoxic effects. Methods: Alpha-luffin was expressed, purified, and refolded. Then, this protein was utilized to craft an optimal formulation, guided by experimental design. In this work, we have explored various physicochemical properties, including particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency, drug release and kinetics, storage stability, and FTIR spectroscopy. Additionally, we have assessed the cellular uptake and cytotoxic effect of the optimized niosome formulation on the SKBR3 breast cancer cell line. Results: The optimized niosome exhibited a mean diameter of 315±6.4 nm (DLS). Successful encapsulation of LUF into regularly shaped, spherical niosomes was achieved, with an encapsulation efficiency of 73.45±2.4%. Notably, Niosomal LUF (NLUF) exhibited significantly increased cytotoxicity against SKBR3 cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that niosomes loaded with LUF hold promise as a potential treatment strategy for breast cancer. © 2025 Bentham Science Publishers.