Anti-proliferative and apoptosis-triggering potential of disulfiram and disulfiram-loaded polysorbate 80-stabilized PLGA nanoparticles on hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cell line

Disulfiram, an anti-alcoholic drug, we decided to study its efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells. Simultaneously, we intended to study effect of PLGA nanoparticles and its DSF-loaded counterpart. Cell and nuclear staining, comet assay, flow cytometry, and Western blots were performed. Results confirmed that cell proliferation was indeed inhibited by disulfiram through cell cycle arrest, triggering activation of apoptotic pathways leading to cell death. DSF loaded nanoparticles too showed consistent results with free DSF, however, empty nanoparticles showed no effect. Our results suggest that DSF alone contributes to cell death, while PLGA nanoparticles show sustained drug release patterns.79