• Comparative Analysis of Anticancer Effects of Chitosan and Alginate Nanoparticles Loaded with Syzygium aromaticum Essential Oil and Eugenol Against Melanoma Cells (A-375)
  • Zahra Zahedifard,1 Mahmoud Osanloo,2,*
    1. 1- Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran 2- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
    2. Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran


  • Introduction: Melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer originating from melanocytes, presents a growing medical challenge due to its increasing incidence and high mortality rate (1). Currently, no effective treatment exists for metastatic melanoma, making the advanced stages of the disease incurable (2). While new therapeutic approaches have been developed, drug resistance remains a significant barrier to successful cancer treatment (3). Syzygium aromaticum (clove), a common spice in Indian cuisine, has long been recognized for its potent chemopreventive properties. Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions (4). Clove's primary bioactive compound, eugenol, is well-known for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and analgesic properties. Eugenol is widely utilized in pharmaceuticals, food products, and beverages. Its health benefits are well-documented, and recent studies have highlighted its promising biological activities (5). However, nanoparticles offer advantages in overcoming the limitations of free essential oils, such as enhanced stability and controlled release, preventing EO degradation (6, 7).
  • Methods: The essential oil components were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Nanoparticles were prepared through ionic gelation, utilizing TPP crosslinking for chitosan and calcium chloride for alginate. The toxicity of the samples against A-375 melanoma cells was assessed using the MTT assay.
  • Results: Eugenol constituted over 70% of the essential oil. The particle sizes of the alginate nanoparticles containing essential oil and eugenol were 122 nm and 87 nm, respectively, while chitosan nanoparticles measured 158 nm and 200 nm. The toxicity (IC50) results against A-375 cells were as follows: unformulated essential oil and eugenol showed IC50 values of 545 μg/ml and 572 μg/ml, respectively. Alginate nanoparticles containing essential oil and eugenol exhibited IC50 values of 358 μg/ml and 757 μg/ml, respectively, while chitosan nanoparticles demonstrated IC50 values of 73 μg/ml and 79 μg/ml, respectively.
  • Conclusion: Chitosan nanoparticles exhibited superior anticancer efficacy and are recommended for further investigation in animal models
  • Keywords: Melanoma; Complementary Medicine; Clove; Eugenol