https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-026-07603-x
Regular Article
Synergistic enhancement of carboplatin’s anticancer and antioxidant activities through a novel quercetin–alginate liposomal nano-carrier formulation against breast and ovarian cancer models
1
Training and Workshops Center, University of Technology - Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq
2
College of Materials Engineering, University of Technology - Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq
a
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Received:
21
November
2025
Accepted:
23
March
2026
Published online:
6
April
2026
Abstract
Modern medicine encounters a major challenge with cancer, which is the leading cause of death in many countries, second only to cardiovascular diseases. Among the available treatments, carboplatin—a chemotherapy drug—is used to treat certain cancers, such as ovarian and breast cancer. This investigation aims to improve carboplatin’s therapeutic efficacy by utilizing novel nano-carriers consisting of alginate, quercetin, and liposomes. Advanced analytical procedures like transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry techniques were utilized to determine physicochemical characterization. We also conducted an in vitro cytotoxic study using an MTT assay and an antioxidant test. The results revealed that carboplatin-loaded nanoparticles did not significantly affect the viability of A2780 (human ovarian cancer) cells. At the same time, they improved the killing of breast cancer cells (MCF7) approximately three times more than the free drug. At the same time, they reduced toxicity in HFB4 (normal cell line). The antioxidant properties of the drug improve. The loading capacity and maximum encapsulation of the drug were calculated to be 6.25% and 75%, respectively. The carboplatin release from novel nano-carriers was explored in a HEPES buffer solution, pH 7.4, and in an acetic buffer solution, pH 5.8. Carboplatin-loaded nanoparticles show pH-responsive drug activity in a sustained manner, specifically at pH 5.8. Our results show that the novel nanoparticles represent a promising drug-delivery approach for drugs with maximum effects.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
