Cytotoxic potential of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with Brazilian red propolis in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) remains a significant public health concern globally, with increasing incidence and mortality rates among women. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems offer promising avenues for improving cancer therapy efficacy and reducing adverse effects. In this study, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to characterize polymeric nanoparticles encapsulating Brazilian red propolis extract (BRPE). TEM confirmed the spherical morphology and expected size of the nanoparticles, while FTIR indicated successful encapsulation of the extract and its interaction with the polymeric matrix. Cytotoxicity tests revealed that nanoparticle-encapsulated BRPE (NCBRPE) exhibited reduced toxicity to normal breast cells (MCF-10) but increased toxicity to breast cancer cells (MCF-7) compared to free BRPE, suggesting targeted therapeutic potential. Notably, NCBRPE demonstrated enhanced efficacy in acidic tumor microenvironments, further supporting its targeted therapeutic potential. The consistent results across 2D and 3D models highlight the reliable antitumor activity of NCBRPE, positioning it as a promising candidate for breast cancer therapy.