Nanolipid-loaded Preyssler polyoxometalate: Synthesis, characterization and invitro inhibitory effects on HepG2 tumor cells

Polyoxometalate-based drugs have been selected by some researchers as alternative antitumor substances with promising results in suppression of tumor growth because of low toxicity towards the human body and high activity. In this research, for the first time, nanolipid-loaded Preyssler polyoxometalate with diameters of 230–250 nm was synthesized and characterized by the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDAX), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The nanoliposomes were found to be nearly spherical, without any agglomeration with the Entrapment Efficiency of 53.8%. In -vitro antitumor activity of the synthesized nanoliposomes was investigated using the MTT method on HepG2 tumor cells. Our findings showed enhanced anticancer activity for the nanolipid-loaded Preyssler (NLP) compared to the Sorafenib as a commercially drug at 72 h. Selectivity of the synthesized NLP and Sorafenib for cancer cells versus primary HFF cells was obtained as 4.2 and 2.2, respectively. The IC50 value of the loaded nanoliposomes for cancer cells and normal cells was equal to 470 and 2000 μg/mL, respectively at 72 h, which was much better compared to that of the Sorafenib (7 and 16 μg/mL, respectively). [Display omitted] •This study is the first to explore the potential of nanolipid-loaded Preyssler and its inhibitory effects on HepG2 tumor cells.•Enhanced anticancer activity observed for nanolipid-loaded Preyssler compared with sorafenib as a commercially drug at 72 h.•This is the first time that Preyssler as an effective and selective drug acts on HepG2 tumor cells.•High yields, short reaction times, simplicity of operation and easy work-up procedure are some advantages of this protocol.•The synthesis does not require harmful drugs and organic solvents, thus could be termed as green nanotechnology for drug delivery.