Synthesis and characterization of andrographolide: Albumin nanoparticles and their anticancer activity in HeLa cancer cell line

Abstract

Nanoparticles are frequently employed to control the delivery of drugs and various growth factors to tissues/cells. Nanocarriers, in diverse formulations, have the potential to transport both synthetic and natural anticancer therapeutic drugs. Andrographolide, a diterpenoid extracted from Andrographis paniculata, possesses robust antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral effects. The inhibition of cervical cancer can be achieved by supplementing with bioactive molecules that decrease the proliferation and differentiation of cervical cancer cells while promoting cell death. This study explores the in vitro antiproliferative efficacy of andrographolide on cervical cancer cells, assessed through a cytotoxicity assay in human cervical cancer cells. The results demonstrated increased activity of andrographolide in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The andrographolide-albumin nanoparticle (ANP) was synthesized using the coacervation process. X-ray diffraction and Raman analysis of ANP revealed the amorphization of andrographolide, a favorable characteristic for drug delivery applications. Additionally, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis illustrated the drug structure and the stretching of bands in the synthesized ANP. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy unveiled spherical granules with nanoparticle sizes ranging from 100 to 200 nm. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of andrographolide-ANPs was observed in the HeLa cancer cell line. The synthesis and characterization of andrographolide-ANPs were undertaken for potential therapeutic applications.