Abstract
Inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP(6)) is the most abundant inositol polyphosphate both in plant and animal cells. Exogenous InsP(6) is known to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancerous cells. However, cellular entry of exogenous InsP(6) is hindered due to the presence of highly negative charge on this molecule. Therefore, to enhance the cellular delivery of InsP(6) in cancerous cells, InsP(6) was encapsulated by chitosan (CS), a natural polysaccharide, via the ionic gelation method. Our hypothesis is that encapsulated InsP(6) will enter the cell more efficiently to trigger its apoptotic effects. The incorporation of InsP(6) into CS was optimized by varying the ratios of the two and confirmed by InsP(6) analysis via polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The complex was further characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for physicochemical changes. The data indicated morphological changes and changes in the spectral properties of the complex upon encapsulation. The encapsulated InsP(6) enters human breast cancer MCF-7 cells more efficiently than free InsP(6) and triggers apoptosis via a mechanism involving the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This work has potential for developing cancer therapeutic applications utilizing natural compounds that are likely to overcome the severe toxic effects associated with synthetic chemotherapeutic drugs.