Combination therapy using Hesperidin Doxorubicin to fight breast cancer

Aim and Background: Combination therapy is a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment. Poly phenolic compounds including hesperidin have shown significant efficacy against several types of cancers. However, their use is limited due to low aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. Nanotechnology enabled scientists to tackle these problems using advanced drug delivery vehicles. The present study conducted with the aim of developing hesperidin nanoliposome to investigate its potential antitumor effects in combination with doxorubicin in 4T1-tumor bearing mice model. Methods: Nanoliposomes containing hesperidin were prepared by remote loading method and their physicochemical properties were evaluated. Then, cytotoxicity was measured in combination with doxorubicin on 4T1 cancer cells and anti-tumor efficacy and toxicity was assessed in 4T1 mice tumor model. Results and discussion: The results showed that hesperidin liposomes significantly reduced the IC50 of doxorubicin (Hesperidin: doxorubicin molar ratio; 4:1). In vivo experiments indicated that combination therapy could increase the survival of animals compared to the control group. Also, histological investigations revealed that combination therapy could protect normal tissues including heart, kidney and liver against adverse side effects of doxorubicin.Conclusion: These results laid emphasis on the benefits of using drug carriers for combination strategy to improve both the physicochemical properties of phytochemicals and enhance the therapeutic outcome. Further studies are warranted to demonstrate the mechanism involved in anti-proliferative effects of Hesperidin in combination with doxorubicin