Nanopharmaceuticals Show Promise in Treating Colorectal Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the National Nanotechnology Center in Thailand have made significant progress in developing a new nano-drug delivery system to combat colorectal cancer. This innovative approach utilizes polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles to encapsulate Kaempferia galanga L. (KGL), a plant-based compound with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. The study aimed to enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of KGL against colorectal cancer cells. Through a series of experiments, the researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of PDA-KGL in inhibiting cell viability and inducing apoptosis in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. This breakthrough has potential implications for the development of novel nanopharmaceuticals in treating various types of cancers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers at the National Nanotechnology Center developed a nano-drug delivery system using polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles to improve the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of Kaempferia galanga L. (KGL) against colorectal cancer cells.
  • PDA-KGL demonstrated strong anti-proliferative activity against HT-29 cells, suppressing cell viability and inducing apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.
  • The researchers utilized dynamic light scattering and TEM to characterize the physicochemical properties of PDA-KGL, which showed spherical morphology with average hydrodynamic sizes of 316.6 ± 2.0 nm.
  • The PDA-KGL system significantly enhanced the anti-cancer activity of KGL, with strong inhibition of cell viability compared to free KGL and PDA treatments.
  • The researchers also observed a suppression of invasive ability of HT-29 cells treated with PDA-KGL, determined by a transwell invasion assay.
  • This study suggests that PDA-KGL could be used as a nano-drug delivery approach for colorectal cancer treatment, implying a promising future for nanotechnology in cancer therapy.

Statistics:

  • PDA-KGL treated HT-29 cells showed 80% inhibition of cell viability compared to 20% inhibition in cells treated with free KGL.
  • Average hydrodynamic sizes of PDA and PDA-KGL were 236.2 ± 1.2 nm and 316.6 ± 2.0 nm, respectively.
  • Zeta potential of PDA and PDA-KGL were -23.0 ± 0.4 mV and -39.5 ± 0.6 mV, respectively.
  • 20-30% of HT-29 cells treated with PDA-KGL underwent apoptosis, as determined by an Annexin V binding assay.
  • Invasion ability of HT-29 cells treated with PDA-KGL was significantly suppressed compared to free KGL or PDA treatments.

Sources:

  • Anti-cancer activity of Kaempferia galanga L.-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles against colorectal cancer. OpenNano, 2025,23():100242.
  • National Nanotechnology Center, Thailand.
  • Elsevier (Publisher of OpenNano).
  • Health & Medicine Week. May 16, 2025; p 5844.