Development and characterization of Myrica esculenta plant extract-based albumin nanoparticles for anticancer activity

Myrica esculenta plant extracts have been reported for their anticancer properties. Also, albumin has been reported as a drug carrier due to non-immunogenic nature and ability to bypass the reticuloendothelial system (RES). In this study Myrica esculenta plant extract-based albumin nanoparticles (ME-BSANPs) were characterized and prepared for cancer therapy. The objective of this study is to enhance the absorption of the phytoconstituents and to improve cancer cell selectivity that leads to apoptosis. The prepared nanoparticles were examined for their morphological characteristics, such as, size, shape, surface charge, and stability. Furthermore, the design of expert (DOE) software was used to determine the formulation parameters. The size of the synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed and images were observed in the filed emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). In vitro studies of these nanoparticles were tested on cancer cell line (MIA PaCa-2) and resulted to cell cytotoxicity with an increase in the level of apoptosis or programmed cell death. The study of molecular docking was reported in Myrica esculenta bark. The docking was performed with BSA to check the binding affinity because BSA-based nanoparticles embedded with plant extract may interact with cancer targets. Docking studies revealed that the plant phytoconstituents have good binding affinity to BSA, which may carry these nanoparticles to target the cancer site to trigger apoptosis. These research findings suggest that the plant extract-loaded albumin-based nanoparticles could be a new development in cancer treatment. Also, these nanoparticles showed an excellent drug delivery and anticancer activities with fewer side effects.