Abstract

Cancer and bacterial infections are major global health concerns driving the need for innovative medicines. This study investigated alginate nanoparticles loaded with essential oils (EOs) from Cuminum cyminum and Zataria multiflora as potential drug delivery systems. The nanoparticles were comprehensively characterized using techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zetasizer, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). Their biological properties against two human skin cancer cell lines (A-375 and A-431) and three bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) were also evaluated. Alginate nanoparticles containing C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs exhibited sizes of 160 ± 8 nm and 151 ± 10 nm, respectively. Their zeta potentials and encapsulation efficiencies were −18 ± 1 mV and 79 ± 4%, as well as −27 ± 2 mV and 86 ± 5%, respectively. The values against the tested cell lines and bacteria revealed superior efficacy for nanoparticles containing Z. multiflora EO. Considering the proper efficacy of the proposed nanoparticles, the straightforward preparation method and low cost suggest their potential for further in vivo studies.

1. Introduction

Skin cancer, a prevalent health concern, encompasses various types such as melanoma and nonmelanoma [1]. Researchers utilize human skin cancer cell lines A-375 (melanoma) and A-431 (epidermoid carcinoma) for anticancer studies due to their rapid growth [24]. Similarly, bacterial infections caused by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus pose significant challenges. E. coli, commonly associated with UTIs and food-borne illness, can evolve into dangerous strains [5]. P. aeruginosa thrives in healthcare settings, causing critical infections, while S. aureus, a common skin colonizer, can become an antibiotic-resistant MRSA [6, 7].

The everescalating threat of antibiotic resistance and the seemingly never-ending battle against cancer have created a dire need for groundbreaking therapeutic strategies. In this urgent quest, exploring safe and effective herbal medicines offers a glimmer of hope [8, 9]. Plants such as Zataria multiflora and Cuminum cyminum have emerged as particularly exciting candidates due to their demonstrated anticancer and antimicrobial properties. However, a key challenge lies in harnessing their full therapeutic potential, as their essential oils (EOs) are susceptible to volatility and degradation [10, 11]. Alginate nanoparticles address the limitations of free EOs by offering a multitude of advantages. These nanoparticles can be engineered for controlled release, protecting EOs from degradation and improving their stability [12, 13]. In addition, alginate nanoparticles improve EO bioavailability by increasing water solubility, facilitating cellular uptake, and enhancing delivery through the EPR effect. This phenomenon, dependent on the nanoparticles’ nanoscale size, concentrates the drug in the leaky vasculature of tumors, minimizing exposure to healthy tissues and reducing side effects [14, 15]. Furthermore, alginate nanoparticles are biocompatible, biodegradable, and versatile for various therapeutic applications. This combination of properties leads to improved therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability of EOs, potentially requiring lower doses for desired effects [16, 17].

Therefore, this study investigated alginate nanoparticles loaded with C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs as potential drug delivery systems. A comprehensive evaluation was applied to their anticancer activity against A-375 and A-431 cell lines, alongside their antibacterial activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials

Commercially procured alginate sodium and calcium chloride were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (USA). EOs of C. cyminum and Z. multiflora were purchased from Zardband Pharmaceuticals (Iran). Human cell lines of malignant melanoma (A-375, CRL-1619) and epidermoid carcinoma (A-431, CRL-1555) were obtained from the Pasteur Institute of Iran, along with several bacterial strains, i.e., E. coli (ATCC 25922), P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), and S. aureus (ATCC 25923).

2.2. Preparation of Alginate Nanoparticles Containing C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs

The ionic gelation method was used to prepare nanoparticles containing EOs [18]. In brief, a mixture of 0.25% w/v of each EO with 0.2% w/v of Tween 20 was stirred (2000 rpm, RT, 3 min). After that, the aqueous alginate solution (0.25% w/v) was gradually added and was stirred for 5 min. Finally, the aqueous solution of calcium chloride (0.04% w/v for C. cyminum EO and 0.05% w/v for Z. multiflora) was added dropwisely and stirred for 40 min for performing reactions of calcium ions with hydroxyl groups in alginates. The prepared nanoparticles containing C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs were named Alg-CC and Alg-ZM. In addition, alginate particles were prepared following the same procedure but without EO; this sample was named Alg-free.

2.3. Instrumental Analyses
2.3.1. GC-MS

This analysis confirmed the chemical composition of the original C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs. An Agilent 6890 gas chromatograph equipped with a BPX5 column (3 mm × 0.52 mm ID × 52 μm) and an Agilent 5973 mass spectrometer were used. The column temperature program started at 23°C (hold for 2 min) and then increased to 250°C at 10°C/min, followed by a further increase to 300°C at 12°C/min (hold for 5 min). Helium was used as the carrier gas (1.5 mL/min). The mass spectra were compared to the literature and library data for identification.

2.3.2. DLS and Zeta Potential

The size distribution (hydrodynamic diameter) and zeta potential of Alg-CC and Alg-ZM were analyzed using a k-one (Nano, Ltd., Korea) DLS device. Zeta potential was further measured using a Horiba SZ-100 (Japan) zetasizer. Nanoparticles with a size below 200 nm and a SPAN less than 1, along with a positive or negative zeta potential value (indicating sufficient surface charge), were considered suitable.

2.3.3. ATR-FTIR

The ATR-FTIR spectroscope (Bruker, Tensor II, Germany) investigated the chemical characteristics of sodium alginate, C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs, Alg-free, Alg-CC, and Alg-ZM at room temperature in the wavenumber range of 500–3500 cm−1. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was utilized to confirm the loading of EOs in nanoparticles qualitatively.

2.3.4. UV-Vis

The encapsulation efficiency of EOs within the nanoparticles was determined using UV-Vis spectroscopy. A standard calibration curve was established by measuring the absorbance of various concentrations (5–200 μg/mL) of C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs in absolute ethanol at a common λmax (wavelength of maximum absorption). Linear regression analysis ( > 0.95) confirmed the accuracy of the calibration curve. Subsequently, Alg-CC and Alg-ZM nanoparticles were centrifuged, and the unencapsulated EO in the supernatant was quantified using the established calibration curve. Encapsulation efficiency was then calculated using the following equation: ((initial EO concentration) - (EO concentration in supernatant))/(initial EO concentration) × 100%.

2.4. Cytotoxic Effects of Nanoparticles

The MTT assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of Alg-CC and Alg-ZM against A-375 and A-431 cells. Cells (10,000 cells/well) were seeded in 96-well plates and cultured for 24 hours to reach 80% confluency. The culture medium was then replaced with fresh medium containing various concentrations (39–1250 μg/mL) of Alg-CC, Alg-ZM, or controls (PBS and Alg-free). Following another 24 hours of incubation, the cells were treated with MTT solution for 4 hours. The formed formazan crystals were then dissolved in DMSO, and the absorbance was measured at 570 nm using a plate reader. Cell viability was calculated by comparing the absorbance of treated cells to the control group, providing insights into the cytotoxic potential of these nanoparticles.

2.5. Antibacterial Effects of Nanoparticles

The antibacterial potential of Alg-CC and Alg-ZM against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus was evaluated using a microdilution assay. Standardized bacterial suspensions (0.5 McFarland) were incubated with serially diluted Alg-CC and Alg-ZM solutions (39–1250 μg/mL) in 96-well plates. Control wells included PBS and Alg-free for comparison. Bacterial growth was assessed after 24 hours of incubation by measuring the optical density of each well at 630 nm. This assay provided insights into the effectiveness of these nanoparticles against various bacterial pathogens.

2.6. Statistical Analyses

All experiments were performed in triplicate, and data were presented as the mean ± standard deviation. Independent samples’ t-tests analyzed the cytotoxicity and antibacterial effects at various concentrations. GraphPad Prism software facilitated data analysis and visualization, while CalcuSyn software (free version) determined the values for each sample.

3. Results

3.1. Identified Compounds

GC-MS analysis identified about 96% and 99% of the compounds in C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs, respectively. The identified compounds are listed in Table 1. Cumin aldehyde (42.2%), ortho-cymen (34.2%), and β-pinene (10.8%) were the three major constituents of C. cyminum EO. In comparison, carvacrol (38.7%), thymol (26.5%), and ortho-cymen (11.6%) were the most abundant compounds in Z. multiflora EO.

3.2. Prepared Nanoparticles

DLS analysis revealed that Alg-CC and Alg-ZM nanoparticles possessed hydrodynamic diameters of 160 ± 8 nm and 151 ± 10 nm, respectively, with narrow size distributions (SPAN values of 0.96 and 0.97), as shown in Figure 1. In addition, zeta potential measurements (Figure 2) indicated negative surface charges of −18 ± 1 mV and −27 ± 2 mV for Alg-CC and Alg-ZM, respectively.

3.3. Confirming Successful Loading of EOs in Nanoparticles

The ATR-FTIR spectra of C. cyminum EO (Figure 3(a)) showed a broad peak at 3368 cm−1, which is related to the stretching vibration of OH. The bands at 2960, 2927, and 2870 cm−1 showed the -CH stretching vibration of Sp3 in alkanes. The bands at 2870 and 2723 cm−1 indicate C-H of aldehyde. The characteristic bands at 1701 and 1675 cm−1 are assigned to EO’s carbonyl stretching vibration in aldehyde and ketones. These strong peaks represented a high amount of aldehydes in the L. C. cyminum EO. The bands at 1575 and 1460 cm−1 showed the C=C vibration of an aromatic compound. The peaks 1169 and 1212 cm−1 are attributed to C-O stretching vibration. The band at 948 cm−1 is related to C-H bending absorption, and the strong peak at 827 cm−1 is assigned to benzene rings C-H vibration absorption. The peak at 687 cm−1 corresponds to the vibration absorption of alkenes.

ATR-FTIR spectra of Z. multiflora EO (Figure 3(b)) showing the broad band at 3200–3500 cm−1 can be attributed to stretching vibration of the hydroxyl group due to hydrogen bonding in phenolic and alcoholic compounds in EO, the band at 3019 cm−1 can be related to stretching vibration of CH in sp2 groups, the bands at 2959, 2925, and 2869 cm−1 can be corresponded to stretching vibration of CH in sp3 groups, and the bands at 1738 and 1703 cm−1 can be attributed to stretching vibration carbonyl groups. The spectra at 1088 and 1058 cm−1 displayed the stretching vibration of the C-O groups.

From Figure 3(c), the ATR-FTIR spectra of Alg-free (Alg-CC without L. C. cyminum EO) displayed the broad band between 3200 and 3699 cm−1 corresponding to OH stretching vibration due to hydrogen bonding in Tween, water, and alginate. The band at 1734 cm−1 can be attributed to the carbonyl group in Tween. The band at 1090 cm−1 can be related to C-O stretching vibration.

From Figure 3(d), the ATIR spectra of Alg-free (Alg-ZM without Z. multiflora EO) showed that the broadband between 3200 and 3691 cm−1 can be related to the stretching vibration of hydroxyl groups in Tween, water, and alginate. The band at 1660 cm−1 can be related to the stretching vibration of the carbonyl group in Tween 20. The bands at 1556 and 1379 cm−1 are related to the symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibration of carbonyl groups due to sodium alginate. The band at 1153 and 1069 cm−1 can be attributed to the stretching vibration of C-O groups.

The ATR-FTIR spectra of Alg-CC (Figure 3(e)) showed a peak at about 3254–3702 cm−1, which is assigned to OH. The peaks at 2916 and 2849 cm−1 corresponded to C-H stretching vibration. The bands at 1656 and 1617 cm−1 can be related to the presence of EO and Tween 20. The 1556 and 1377 cm−1 peaks can be attributed to carbonyl groups’ symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibration.

The ATR-FTIR spectra of Alg-ZM (Figure 3(f)) showed a peak at about 3330–3732 cm−1, which is assigned to OH. The peaks at 2921 and 2855 cm−1 corresponded to C-H stretching vibration. The band at 1735 cm−1 can be related to C=O, the presence of EO, and Tween 20. The 1558 and 1351 cm−1 peaks can be attributed to carbonyl groups’ symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibration. The stretching and characteristic band at 1091 cm−1 in nanoparticles containing EOs corresponds to the reaction between carboxyl and Ca ion (CO-Ca-CO group structure), increasing C-O vibration. This peak demonstrated that ionic crosslinking and physical crosslinking between the hydroxyl groups of alginate, Tween 20, and EO also consume a small amount of hydroxyl groups.

3.4. Encapsulation Efficacy of EOs in Nanoparticles

The established calibration curves for C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs (Figure 4) enabled the quantification of encapsulated EOs within the nanoparticles. Encouragingly, Alg-CC and Alg-ZM displayed high encapsulation efficiencies of 79 ± 4% and 86 ± 5%, respectively.

3.5. Cytotoxic Effects of Nanoparticles

As shown in Figure 5, Alg-free treatment resulted in minimal cytotoxicity (viability >90%) towards both A-375 and A-431 cells, indicating negligible effects of the carrier material. Notably, Alg-ZM exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity than Alg-CC against both cell lines. The values of Alg-ZM for A-375 and A-431 cells were 132 (104–167) μg/mL and 158 (102–247) μg/mL, respectively (Table 2). In contrast, Alg-CC displayed lower cytotoxicity, with values of 664 (439–1005) μg/mL and 321 (247–416) μg/mL for A-375 and A-431 cells, respectively.

3.6. Antibacterial Effects of Nanoparticles

As illustrated in Figure 6, Alg-free treatment exhibited negligible antibacterial activity against all three bacterial strains (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus), indicating the carrier material’s lack of inherent antimicrobial properties. Encouragingly, Alg-ZM demonstrated significantly greater antibacterial efficacy than Alg-CC against all tested bacteria. The values of Alg-ZM for E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus were 178 (145–219) μg/mL, 95 (38–238) μg/mL, and 307 (252–375) μg/mL, respectively (Table 2). In contrast, Alg-CC displayed lower antibacterial activity, with values of 690 (344–1381) μg/mL, 633 (347–1153) μg/mL, and 1098 (637–1794) μg/mL for E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus, respectively.

4. Discussion

Alginate nanoparticles have been explored as a delivery system for various EOs, including Z. multiflora EO, for its antioxidant activity [19]. Besides, other nanocarriers, including nanoliposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles, were proposed for their larvicidal activity [20, 21] and mosquito-repellent properties [22]. Similarly, C. cyminum EO-loaded nanoformulations have been investigated for their antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial properties [23]. Interestingly, a previous study also employed alginate nanoparticles containing a blend of C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs as a shrimp coating, demonstrating its potential for combined effects [24]. This suggests a precedent for the safety of Alg-CC and Alg-ZM based on the similarity of their components.

Our study demonstrates the potent efficacy of Alg-ZM compared to Alg-CC against cancer cells and bacteria. The obtained value (132 μg/mL) for Alg-ZM against A-375 cells is comparable or superior to previously reported values for alginate nanoparticles containing other EOs. For instance, values of alginate nanoparticles containing clove EO and eugenol on A-375 were reported as 358 and 758 μg/mL [25]. The effects of alginate nanoparticles containing Lavandula angustifolia EO on A-375 were reported:  = 405 μg/mL [18]. Moreover, the value of nanoemulsion containing Origanum majorana EO was reported as 139 μg/mL [26]. Similarly, Alg-ZM exhibited superior antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa ( = 95 μg/mL) compared to previously reported nanoemulsions and nanogels containing Eucalyptus globulus EO with value of >5000 μg/mL [25].

While the exact mechanism for Alg-CC and Alg-ZM’s activity remains elusive, studies suggest potential pathways based on the individual EOs and their major components. Z. multiflora EO has been shown to induce apoptosis in cancer cells via the mitochondrial pathway and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [27]. C. cyminum EO might inhibit bacterial biofilm formation and virulence factors [28]. More generally, EOs’ complex chemical composition can contribute to various therapeutic activities, including disrupting bacterial membranes, inhibiting enzymes, and interfering with protein synthesis [2931]. EOs might also exhibit antioxidant properties and antibiotic synergistic effects [32, 33].

Given the presence of carvacrol and thymol as the major components in Z. multiflora EO, their mechanisms of action are particularly relevant. Both carvacrol and thymol have demonstrated anticancer and antibacterial properties. They can induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and inhibit proliferation in cancer cells [3436]. Their antibacterial effects involve disrupting bacterial membranes, inhibiting efflux pumps, and interfering with protein synthesis [3739]. Carvacrol and thymol can act synergistically with conventional antibiotics [40, 41]. However, no information was found on the anticancer and antibacterial effects of cuminic aldehyde, a major component of C. cyminum EO.

5. Conclusion

This study explored alginate nanoparticles (Alg-CC and Alg-ZM) encapsulating C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs as a cytotoxic and antibacterial agent delivery system. The results were promising, with Alg-ZM demonstrating significantly higher efficacy against A-375 cancer cells and P. aeruginosa relative to other reported nanoformulations. However, this study demonstrates promising in vitro efficacy of alginate nanoparticles loaded with two EOs against cancer cells and bacteria; limitations include the lack of in vivo testing and focus on a narrow range of cell lines and bacteria. Future research should investigate the mechanism of action and conduct in vivo studies with broader cell lines and bacterial strain selection to solidify the potential of these nanoparticles as a drug delivery system for cancer and bacterial infections.

Data Availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethical Approval

This study has been ethically approved (IR.FUMS.AEC.1401.026).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Authors’ Contributions

MO designed the study, performed experiments, analyzed data, and drafted MS. RR performed antibacterial tests. EZ interpreted ATR-FTIR spectra. All the authors have contributed to drafting and approving the final MS.

Acknowledgments

Fasa University of Medical Sciences supported this study under grant no. 401166.