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Doxorubicin-Loaded Niosomal Transporters Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Brain Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study
Abstract
This study was the first to evaluate the anticancer activity of doxorubicin -loaded niosomes on human brain cancer cells. Niosomal drug delivery systems were formulated using the thin film hydration method, incorporating Tween 40 and cholesterol in different ratios. The mean particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of empty niosomes were measured to be 150 nm, 0.265 and -21.5 mV, respectively. The loading efficiency of doxorubicin into the niosomes reached an impressive 95%. For doxorubicin-loaded niosomes, the mean particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential were determined to be 174 nm, 0.290 and -22.8 mV, respectively. The drug release profile was assessed by UV-vis spectroscopy and showed a cumulative doxorubicin release of 30.8% over 24 hours. The cytotoxicity of doxorubicin-loaded niosomes was tested on healthy dermal fibroblast cells using the3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and showed no significant toxicity after 24 hours exposure to various concentrations. Conversely, significant anticancer effects were observed in SHSY-5Y and U87-MG brain cancer cell lines treated with doxorubicin-loaded niosomes, as evidenced by a significant decrease in cell proliferation compared to controls. Notably, the niosomal doxorubicin formulation exhibited higher anticancer efficacy compared to free doxorubicin. These results highlight the potential of niosomal drug delivery systems as a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin while minimizing its off-target toxicity.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Cell Development, Proliferation and Death
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
March 30, 2026
Submission Date
January 21, 2025
Acceptance Date
February 10, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 1
APA
Yıldırım, Ö. Ç. (2026). Doxorubicin-Loaded Niosomal Transporters Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Brain Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study. Türk Doğa Ve Fen Dergisi, 15(1), 174-181. https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1623422
AMA
1.Yıldırım ÖÇ. Doxorubicin-Loaded Niosomal Transporters Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Brain Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study. TJNS. 2026;15(1):174-181. doi:10.46810/tdfd.1623422
Chicago
Yıldırım, Özge Çağlar. 2026. “Doxorubicin-Loaded Niosomal Transporters Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Brain Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study”. Türk Doğa Ve Fen Dergisi 15 (1): 174-81. https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1623422.
EndNote
Yıldırım ÖÇ (March 1, 2026) Doxorubicin-Loaded Niosomal Transporters Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Brain Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study. Türk Doğa ve Fen Dergisi 15 1 174–181.
IEEE
[1]Ö. Ç. Yıldırım, “Doxorubicin-Loaded Niosomal Transporters Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Brain Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study”, TJNS, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 174–181, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.46810/tdfd.1623422.
ISNAD
Yıldırım, Özge Çağlar. “Doxorubicin-Loaded Niosomal Transporters Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Brain Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study”. Türk Doğa ve Fen Dergisi 15/1 (March 1, 2026): 174-181. https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1623422.
JAMA
1.Yıldırım ÖÇ. Doxorubicin-Loaded Niosomal Transporters Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Brain Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study. TJNS. 2026;15:174–181.
MLA
Yıldırım, Özge Çağlar. “Doxorubicin-Loaded Niosomal Transporters Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Brain Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study”. Türk Doğa Ve Fen Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 174-81, doi:10.46810/tdfd.1623422.
Vancouver
1.Özge Çağlar Yıldırım. Doxorubicin-Loaded Niosomal Transporters Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Brain Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study. TJNS. 2026 Mar. 1;15(1):174-81. doi:10.46810/tdfd.1623422