cytotoxicity of icd-85 nps on human cervical carcinoma hela cells through caspase-8 mediated pathway

the biological application of nanoparticles (nps) is a rapidly developing area of nanotechnology that raises new possibilities in the treatment of human cancers. the cytotoxicity was evaluated by mtt and ldh assays. the apoptotic effect of free icd-85 and icd-85 nps on hela cells was assessed using caspase-8 colorimetric assay. the mtt assay showed that icd-85 nps could enhance the in-vitro cytotoxicity against hela cellscompared to the free icd-85. the ic50 value at 72 h was reduced from 25 ± 2.9 μg/ml for free icd-85 to 15.5 ± 2.4 μg/ml for icd-85 nps. however, ldh assay demonstrated that icd-85 has dose-dependent cytotoxicity on hela cells while icd-85 nps exhibited weaker cytotoxicity on same cells. the results also indicate that icd-85-induced apoptosis on hela cells is associated with the activation of caspase-8. moreover, caspase-8 assay analysis demonstrated that the icd-85 nps induced a higher apoptotic rate in hela cells compared to free icd-85. our results demonstrated that the encapsulation of icd-85 enhances its anti-proliferative effects. taken together, these results suggest that the delivery of icd-85 in nanoparticles may be a promising approach for the treatment of the cancer.