Preparation of Artemisia Turcomanic Encapsulated Niosomal Nanocarriers and Evaluation of Anticancer Activities and Apoptosis Gene Expression Analysis in HeLa Cells

Artemisia turcomanic as a natural antibacterial agent, exhibited significant antibacterial effect in the treatment against cancer. This study is the first to investigate size, encapsulation efficiencies, release behavior of Artemisia turcomanic loaded niosomal nanocarriers, and the anticancer effect of niosomal nanocarriers by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and real time (on HeLa cell lines). When the molar ratio of cholesterol: surfactant was 1 : 2 and the liquid content was 300 μmol, the highest percentage of entrapment efficiency was 83.25 %. Moreover, niosomal formulation showed a pH-dependent release; a slow-release profile in physiological pH (7.4), and a more significant release rate at acidic conditions (pH=5.4). In addition, The apoptotic rate of Artemisia loaded niosomes on HeLa cell lines was higher than free extract and pristine niosome. Also, reduction in the expression levels of Bcl2, caspase-3, and p53 genes and increase in the expression level of BAX after treatment with Artemisia turcomanic-loaded niosomes were more significant than those after treatment with free Artemisia turcomanic and blank niosome. The cytotoxicity results of samples presented that Artemisia turcomanic loaded niosomes are more beneficial in the death of HeLa cell lines.