Formulation and evaluation of quinoa seed oil loaded folic acid conjugated bovine serum albumin nanoparticles for anti-breast cancer activity

Introduction In 2022, female breast cancer ranked as the second most prevalent disease worldwide. Present medications have significant adverse effects that limit their application. Quinoa seed oil (QSO) has an effective role in suppressing cancer, however, their low solubility in aqueous solution has limited their use. The integration of QSO into nanoparticles can enhance their therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to prepare QSO-loaded bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles conjugated with folic acid (FA) (FA-QSO-BSA NPs) and evaluate their anticancer activity on breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). Methods QSO extraction was carried out using the Soxhlet extraction technique. FA-QSO-BSA NPs were formulated by the desolvation method. The NPs were characterized using DLS, FTIR, and HPLC techniques. Drug encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were determined by a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The cytotoxic effects of FA-QSO-BSA NPs were investigated by MTT, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Results The results showed the spherical morphology of FA-QSO-BSA NPs with an average size of 146.4 ± 1.32 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.214 ± 6.1, and a zeta potential of −26.0 ± 5.43 mV. The cytotoxicity effects of FA-QSO-BSA NPs against breast cancer cells were in a concentration-dependent manner. At IC50 concentrations (MCF7 = 64.12 μg/mL and MDA-MB-231 = 79.14 μg/mL), FA-QSO-BSA NPs strongly induced nucleus morphological changes, reduced cell proliferation, increased phosphatidylserine exposure, and arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Discussion The increased cytotoxicity of FA-QSO-BSA NPs against breast cancer cells, together with their ability to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, underscores their promise as a strong anticancer drug.