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Objectives and background <p>Breast cancer (BC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related death among women. There is an urgent need for new therapies with fewer side effects. This study evaluated the anticancer potential of curcumin micro- and nanocapsules on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms using bioinformatics analysis.</p> Materials and methods <p>Curcumin micro- and nanocapsules were produced through mechanical encapsulation and tested on MCF-7 cells. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, apoptosis and cell cycle changes were analyzed by flow cytometry, and gene expression of <i>C-myc</i>, <i>Ki-67</i>, <i>EGFR</i>, <i>VEGFR2</i>, and Caspase-3 was evaluated by real-time PCR. Public datasets (TCGA and CPTAC) were analyzed to identify curcumin-related genes, pathways, and drug–target networks.</p> Results <p>Both formulations reduced cell viability by 45–60% and significantly increased apoptosis, with nanocapsules being more potent. Nanocapsules caused G2/M phase arrest and a 3.8-fold rise in Caspase-3 expression, while microcapsules mainly induced G0/G1 arrest. Treatments suppressed the proliferation markers <i>C-myc</i> and <i>Ki-67</i>, along with <i>EGFR</i> and <i>VEGFR2</i>. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed that these genes are key regulators in <i>MAPK</i>,<i> PI3K/Akt</i>,<i> WNT</i>, and <i>HER2</i> pathways affected by curcumin.</p> Conclusion <p>Nano-formulated curcumin demonstrates strong, multi-target anticancer activity by blocking cell growth and angiogenesis while promoting apoptosis. These findings support its potential as a safe and effective therapeutic option for breast cancer.</p>

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Comparative multi-pathway inhibition of breast cancer by micro-and nano-formulated Curcumin

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月21日

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  • Mahmoud Moawad,
  • Afaf Altrawy,
  • Ghada M. Nasr,
  • Wael S. Abd El Aal,
  • Mohamed Y. Nasr,
  • Mohab S. Eissa,
  • Emad S. Shaker

摘要

Objectives and background

Breast cancer (BC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related death among women. There is an urgent need for new therapies with fewer side effects. This study evaluated the anticancer potential of curcumin micro- and nanocapsules on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms using bioinformatics analysis.

Materials and methods

Curcumin micro- and nanocapsules were produced through mechanical encapsulation and tested on MCF-7 cells. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, apoptosis and cell cycle changes were analyzed by flow cytometry, and gene expression of C-myc, Ki-67, EGFR, VEGFR2, and Caspase-3 was evaluated by real-time PCR. Public datasets (TCGA and CPTAC) were analyzed to identify curcumin-related genes, pathways, and drug–target networks.

Results

Both formulations reduced cell viability by 45–60% and significantly increased apoptosis, with nanocapsules being more potent. Nanocapsules caused G2/M phase arrest and a 3.8-fold rise in Caspase-3 expression, while microcapsules mainly induced G0/G1 arrest. Treatments suppressed the proliferation markers C-myc and Ki-67, along with EGFR and VEGFR2. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed that these genes are key regulators in MAPK, PI3K/Akt, WNT, and HER2 pathways affected by curcumin.

Conclusion

Nano-formulated curcumin demonstrates strong, multi-target anticancer activity by blocking cell growth and angiogenesis while promoting apoptosis. These findings support its potential as a safe and effective therapeutic option for breast cancer.