Inhibition of Methamphetamine-Induced Cytotoxicity in the U87-Cell Line by Atorvastatin-Conjugated Carbon Nanotubes

In biological systems, carbon nanotubes can enhance the biological effects of drugs and reduce their side effects. Methamphetamine (METH) is a stimulant drug that induces cell death in various cell types, primarily neural cells. On the other hand, specific doses of atorvastatin (ATO) can stimulate cell growth and inhibit cell death in different cell lines. This study aimed to investigate the improvement effect of ATO@single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) on METH-induced cell cytotoxicity in the U87 glioblastoma cell line. In this study, cells were cultured in 10 mM of METH during the cell treatment with 0–10 nM of ATO and ATO@SWCNT. The conjugated drugs to SWCNT as Van der Waals were detected using field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and other analyses. Then, the in vitro proliferating of ATO@SWCNT was explored against glioblastoma cells compared to pure ATO. This examine was performed using methyl thiazole tetrazolium approach, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxy uridine-triphosphate nick end labeling assay, caspase-3 method, lactate dehydrogenase assay, and RH-123 assay with 10 mM METH. The results obtained from transmission electron microscopy analysis showed the average size of 50 nm for ATO@SWCNT. This study indicated that U87 cells, which were exposed to METH and suffered cell death, were severely reduced in the presence of ATO, especially ATO@SWCNT (for its anti-apoptotic effect), but they survived. This study suggests that ATO, which was primarily used to reduce blood lipids, can significantly reduce brain cell death. The findings of this study indicate that by using SWCNT, more drugs can reach the target cells. This method reduces the total amount of required medication and shows a more beneficial therapeutic effect. Graphical abstract