2. Academic Validation
  3. Synergistic anticancer activity of resveratrol-loaded polymeric nanoparticles and sunitinib in colorectal cancer treatment

Synergistic anticancer activity of resveratrol-loaded polymeric nanoparticles and sunitinib in colorectal cancer treatment

  • R Soc Open Sci. 2025 Apr 23;12(4):241817. doi: 10.1098/rsos.241817.
Punnida Nonsuwan 1 2,  Nattarika Niwetbowornchai 1,  Kanyanut Insawang 1,  Natsuda Kunwong 1,  Kornrawee Srichan 1,  Chatchawan Srisawat 1 2,  Paweena Dana 3,  Nattika Saengkrit 3,  Kytai T Nguyen 4,  Primana Punnakitikashem 1 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Biochemistry, Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
  • 2 Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Theranostic Nanomedicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
  • 3 National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.
  • 4 Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.
PMID: 40271141 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.241817
Abstract

The development of novel and effective treatment strategies, particularly through drug combinations, can significantly enhance therapeutic outcomes. This study explores the innovative combination of resveratrol (RES), a phenolic compound, with sunitinib (SUNI), a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for targeting human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29. We identified a synergistic effect at a SUNI:RES ratio of 1:8, based on their half-maximal inhibitory concentration values. Increasing the dosage of the combined treatment led to a notable reduction in cell viability, observed in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional cell cultures. To improve RES therapeutic efficacy, drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (PLGA-RES) were successfully fabricated with an average diameter of 178.4 ± 4.6 nm. The combination of PLGA-RES and free SUNI at the optimal ratio exhibited enhanced Anticancer activity, reducing cell viability by approximately 25 and 15% more than PLGA-RES and free SUNI alone, respectively, in 2D cultures. Moreover, this combination therapy demonstrated superior effectiveness in treating HT-29 spheroids over 24 and 48 h. These findings highlight the potential of this combined approach to improve colorectal Cancer treatment outcomes.

Keywords

colorectal cancer; drug combination; polymeric nanoparticles; resveratrol; sunitinib.

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