Volume 15, Issue 3 (Summer 2026)
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.PS.REC.1403.564
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Balali E, Fallahi R, Mahboubi Rabbani S M E, Naser-ol-Eslami M, Jebali A. Polyaniline-polyacrylic copolymer-loaded nanoliposome: Synthesis, characterization, and apoptosis induction in breast cancer cells (MCF-7). aumj 2026; 15 (3) : 3
URL: http://aums.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1996-en.html
URL: http://aums.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1996-en.html
Ebrahim Balali1 
, Rezvan Fallahi1 , Seyyed Mohammad Esmail Mahboubi Rabbani2 , Maryam Naser-ol-Eslami3 , Ali Jebali *4 
, Rezvan Fallahi1 , Seyyed Mohammad Esmail Mahboubi Rabbani2 , Maryam Naser-ol-Eslami3 , Ali Jebali *4
1- Department of Organic Chemistry, TMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 2 Medical Genomics Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. & Medical Genomics Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, TMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, TMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
4- Department of Nanotechnology, TMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran & Medical Genomics Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. ,alijebal2011@gmail.com
2- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, TMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, TMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
4- Department of Nanotechnology, TMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran & Medical Genomics Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. ,
Abstract: (27 Views)
Introduction: Polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymers represent an emerging class of polymeric materials with promising anticancer properties. The development of nanocarrier-based delivery systems may further enhance their biological activity and improve their selective effects on malignant cells. The present study aimed to synthesize and characterize nanoliposomes containing polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymers and to investigate their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in comparison with normal human cells.
Methods: In this experimental study, polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymers and nanoliposomal formulations containing the synthesized copolymers were initially prepared and characterized. The cellular effects of the free polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer and its nanoliposomal formulation were subsequently evaluated in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells as a normal cell model. Following 48 hours of exposure, cellular viability and cytotoxicity were assessed using the MTT assay. Apoptotic cell death and changes in the distribution of apoptotic cell populations were evaluated by flow cytometry. In addition, the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes, including caspase-3 and caspase-9, were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The study was conducted under the ethical approval code IR.IAU.PS.REC.1403.564.
Results: The MTT assay demonstrated that exposure to both the polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer and its nanoliposomal formulation resulted in concentration-dependent changes in cell viability and cell death in both MCF-7 and HFF cells. The nanoliposomal formulation produced a greater cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 breast cancer cells than the free polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer (P < 0.05). Flow cytometric analysis further demonstrated that both the free copolymer and the nanoliposomal formulation significantly promoted apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells, as evidenced by increases in the proportions of cells undergoing early and late apoptosis (P < 0.05). Moreover, treatment with the tested formulations resulted in increased expression of the caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes in MCF-7 cells, further supporting the involvement and activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Overall, these findings indicate that incorporation of the polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer into nanoliposomes may enhance its anticancer activity and facilitate the induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cells.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer possesses the potential to induce apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Encapsulation of the copolymer within nanoliposomes appeared to enhance its cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects, suggesting that nanoliposomal delivery may represent a promising strategy for improving the anticancer potential of this polymeric compound. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, optimize the nanoliposomal formulation, and evaluate its selectivity and therapeutic potential in additional in vitro and in vivo models.
Methods: In this experimental study, polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymers and nanoliposomal formulations containing the synthesized copolymers were initially prepared and characterized. The cellular effects of the free polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer and its nanoliposomal formulation were subsequently evaluated in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells as a normal cell model. Following 48 hours of exposure, cellular viability and cytotoxicity were assessed using the MTT assay. Apoptotic cell death and changes in the distribution of apoptotic cell populations were evaluated by flow cytometry. In addition, the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes, including caspase-3 and caspase-9, were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The study was conducted under the ethical approval code IR.IAU.PS.REC.1403.564.
Results: The MTT assay demonstrated that exposure to both the polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer and its nanoliposomal formulation resulted in concentration-dependent changes in cell viability and cell death in both MCF-7 and HFF cells. The nanoliposomal formulation produced a greater cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 breast cancer cells than the free polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer (P < 0.05). Flow cytometric analysis further demonstrated that both the free copolymer and the nanoliposomal formulation significantly promoted apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells, as evidenced by increases in the proportions of cells undergoing early and late apoptosis (P < 0.05). Moreover, treatment with the tested formulations resulted in increased expression of the caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes in MCF-7 cells, further supporting the involvement and activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Overall, these findings indicate that incorporation of the polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer into nanoliposomes may enhance its anticancer activity and facilitate the induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cells.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer possesses the potential to induce apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Encapsulation of the copolymer within nanoliposomes appeared to enhance its cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects, suggesting that nanoliposomal delivery may represent a promising strategy for improving the anticancer potential of this polymeric compound. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, optimize the nanoliposomal formulation, and evaluate its selectivity and therapeutic potential in additional in vitro and in vivo models.
Article number: 3
Keywords: Polyaniline–polyacrylic copolymer, Nanoliposomes, MCF-7 breast cancer cells, Apoptosis, Caspase-3
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/02/18 | Accepted: 2026/05/12 | Published: 2026/09/22
Received: 2026/02/18 | Accepted: 2026/05/12 | Published: 2026/09/22
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