Abstract

Modified nanoparticles with targeting agents are the best choice for systemic delivery of chemotherapy drugs. Because, they can target own specific receptors, and also reduce the side effects of anti-cancer drugs, including hepatotoxicity. Accordingly, we decided to investigate the hepatotoxicity and cytotoxicity of MNPs containing tamoxifen and methotrexate simultaneously on isolated hepatocytes from rats and also folate receptor positive MCF-7 cells. Findings from the Trypan blue assay showed that hepatocyte viability rate was not significantly different from that of the control group after treatment with synthesize-NPs. While, MTT assay confirmed that NPs containing MTX as an analog of FA were able to reduce the viability of MCF-7 cells about 20 of control. Lipid peroxidation measurement determined that there was no significant difference in the amount of MDA generated by hepatocytes during treatment with the synthesized-NPs. The results of Real-time PCR showed that the synthesized-NPs significantly increased the expression of Bak1 in MCF-7 cell lines, while its effect on Bak1 genes of hepatocytes is not significant. All the findings showed that the synthesized-NPs containing anticancer drugs have the ability to target and affect MCF-7 breast cancer cells, while could induced a good protective effect on hepatocytes.