Anticancer and antibacterial activity of the cellulose nanocrystals modified by cyclodextrin and loaded by propolis

Abstract Nanocrystals have great potential as improved drug carriers due to their low cost, high biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Thus, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are particularly suitable for enhanced antibacterial and anticancer therapy. In this research, we report the green synthesis of...

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Main Authors: Maryam Akhondi, Zahra Sotoudehnia Korrani, Maryam Mohammad-Sadeghipour, Reza Bahramabadi, Maryam Mohamadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08622-x
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author Maryam Akhondi
Zahra Sotoudehnia Korrani
Maryam Mohammad-Sadeghipour
Reza Bahramabadi
Maryam Mohamadi
author_facet Maryam Akhondi
Zahra Sotoudehnia Korrani
Maryam Mohammad-Sadeghipour
Reza Bahramabadi
Maryam Mohamadi
author_sort Maryam Akhondi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Nanocrystals have great potential as improved drug carriers due to their low cost, high biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Thus, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are particularly suitable for enhanced antibacterial and anticancer therapy. In this research, we report the green synthesis of β-cyclodextrin-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (β-CD/CNCs) from pistachio shells as a carrier material for propolis, as well as the determination of its antibacterial and anticancer properties. The β-CD/CNCs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FTIR analyses indicated the successful attachment of β-cyclodextrin to the cellulose nanocrystals. FE-SEM and TEM images of β-CD/CNCs exhibited rod-shaped morphology, while the XRD pattern revealed the crystal structure of β-CD/CNCs. The chemical composition of the propolis extract was investigated using GC–MS analysis. The incorporation of the propolis extract into the β-CD/CNCs was achieved with 10% encapsulation using the differential weighing method. Subsequently, the antibacterial and anticancer properties of the propolis-loaded β-CD/CNCs were determined. The antibacterial activity was assessed using the disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer method) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination by the dilution method (DM). The anticancer properties were evaluated using MTT and flow cytometry assays on two liver cell lines (HepG2 and L929). The results demonstrated that the propolis loaded in β-CD/CNCs exhibited better antibacterial and anticancer activity than free propolis. Therefore, β-CD/CNCs can be suggested as a suitable carrier for propolis.
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spelling doaj-art-676ae645693e410fa0be3fc4193f65ad2025-08-20T03:42:41ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-08622-xAnticancer and antibacterial activity of the cellulose nanocrystals modified by cyclodextrin and loaded by propolisMaryam Akhondi0Zahra Sotoudehnia Korrani1Maryam Mohammad-Sadeghipour2Reza Bahramabadi3Maryam Mohamadi4Occupational Safety and Health Research Center, NICICO, World Safety Organization, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Occupational Health Engineering, Sirjan School of Medical ScienceMolecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Microbiology, Medical School, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesOccupational Safety and Health Research Center, NICICO, World Safety Organization, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Nanocrystals have great potential as improved drug carriers due to their low cost, high biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Thus, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are particularly suitable for enhanced antibacterial and anticancer therapy. In this research, we report the green synthesis of β-cyclodextrin-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (β-CD/CNCs) from pistachio shells as a carrier material for propolis, as well as the determination of its antibacterial and anticancer properties. The β-CD/CNCs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FTIR analyses indicated the successful attachment of β-cyclodextrin to the cellulose nanocrystals. FE-SEM and TEM images of β-CD/CNCs exhibited rod-shaped morphology, while the XRD pattern revealed the crystal structure of β-CD/CNCs. The chemical composition of the propolis extract was investigated using GC–MS analysis. The incorporation of the propolis extract into the β-CD/CNCs was achieved with 10% encapsulation using the differential weighing method. Subsequently, the antibacterial and anticancer properties of the propolis-loaded β-CD/CNCs were determined. The antibacterial activity was assessed using the disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer method) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination by the dilution method (DM). The anticancer properties were evaluated using MTT and flow cytometry assays on two liver cell lines (HepG2 and L929). The results demonstrated that the propolis loaded in β-CD/CNCs exhibited better antibacterial and anticancer activity than free propolis. Therefore, β-CD/CNCs can be suggested as a suitable carrier for propolis.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08622-xPistachio shellCellulose nanocrystalsβ-cyclodextrinPropolis extractAntibacterial activitiesAnticancer activities
spellingShingle Maryam Akhondi
Zahra Sotoudehnia Korrani
Maryam Mohammad-Sadeghipour
Reza Bahramabadi
Maryam Mohamadi
Anticancer and antibacterial activity of the cellulose nanocrystals modified by cyclodextrin and loaded by propolis
Scientific Reports
Pistachio shell
Cellulose nanocrystals
β-cyclodextrin
Propolis extract
Antibacterial activities
Anticancer activities
title Anticancer and antibacterial activity of the cellulose nanocrystals modified by cyclodextrin and loaded by propolis
title_full Anticancer and antibacterial activity of the cellulose nanocrystals modified by cyclodextrin and loaded by propolis
title_fullStr Anticancer and antibacterial activity of the cellulose nanocrystals modified by cyclodextrin and loaded by propolis
title_full_unstemmed Anticancer and antibacterial activity of the cellulose nanocrystals modified by cyclodextrin and loaded by propolis
title_short Anticancer and antibacterial activity of the cellulose nanocrystals modified by cyclodextrin and loaded by propolis
title_sort anticancer and antibacterial activity of the cellulose nanocrystals modified by cyclodextrin and loaded by propolis
topic Pistachio shell
Cellulose nanocrystals
β-cyclodextrin
Propolis extract
Antibacterial activities
Anticancer activities
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08622-x
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