Synergistic anticancer effects of metformin and Achillea vermicularis Trin-loaded nanofibers on human pancreatic cancer cell line: An in vitro study

Treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited and not effective enough despite recent advances in chemotherapy. In this study, Metformin (Met)/Achillea vermicularis Trin. (AV)-loaded polylactic acid (PLA)/ polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers (NFs) were fabricated by electrospinning and their chemical, mechanical, degradation, thermal, drug release behaviour and kinetic, and morphological properties were characterized. Met/AV-loaded NFs were found more effective against insulinoma cells in vitro than Met-loaded and AV-loaded NFs. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage was remarkably higher in Met/AV-loaded NF-treated cells (on day 1 is 50.14% and on day 7 is 46.59%) than in pure NF-treated cells. The density of live cells was lower on the surface of Met/AV-loaded NF compared to Met-loaded and AV-loaded NFs. Met/AV-loaded NF demonstrated a higher apoptosis-inducing effect on insulinoma cells than single drug-loaded NFs according to DAPI nuclear staining. The combination of Met and AV in PLA/PCL NFs could be a novel and effective therapy against pancreatic cancer via a local application.