Marvasti, Mahdieh, Nikoonahad Lotfabadi, Narges, Haghiralsadat, Bibi Fatemeh (2026). Niosome-Encapsulated Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract Enhances Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells via Modulation of BCL-2 and p53 Gene Expression. Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences- Journal Management System, 2(1), 1-19. doi: 10.22034/jrb.2026.07.V2I1A1
Mahdieh Marvasti; Narges Nikoonahad Lotfabadi; Bibi Fatemeh Haghiralsadat. "Niosome-Encapsulated Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract Enhances Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells via Modulation of BCL-2 and p53 Gene Expression". Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences- Journal Management System, 2, 1, 2026, 1-19. doi: 10.22034/jrb.2026.07.V2I1A1
Marvasti, Mahdieh, Nikoonahad Lotfabadi, Narges, Haghiralsadat, Bibi Fatemeh (2026). 'Niosome-Encapsulated Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract Enhances Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells via Modulation of BCL-2 and p53 Gene Expression', Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences- Journal Management System, 2(1), pp. 1-19. doi: 10.22034/jrb.2026.07.V2I1A1
Marvasti, Mahdieh, Nikoonahad Lotfabadi, Narges, Haghiralsadat, Bibi Fatemeh Niosome-Encapsulated Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract Enhances Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells via Modulation of BCL-2 and p53 Gene Expression. Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences- Journal Management System, 2026; 2(1): 1-19. doi: 10.22034/jrb.2026.07.V2I1A1

Niosome-Encapsulated Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract Enhances Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells via Modulation of BCL-2 and p53 Gene Expression

Regenerative Biomedicine
Volume 2, Issue 1, Summer 2026, Pages 1-19    PDF (1.53 M)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.22034/jrb.2026.07.V2I1A1
Authors
Mahdieh Marvasti1; Narges Nikoonahad Lotfabadi* 1; Bibi Fatemeh Haghiralsadat2
1Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Science and Arts University, Yazd, Iran.
2Stem Cell Biology Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer and leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Conventional treatments including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are often associated with severe adverse effects that limit their clinical use. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems offer a promising strategy to overcome these therapeutic limitations. Niosome nanoparticles encapsulating Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extract were synthesized via thin-film hydration using Span-60 and cholesterol (70:30 molar ratio). Characterization included dynamic light scattering, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay in HeLa and HFF cell lines. BCL2 and TP53 gene expression was assessed by Real-Time PCR. The optimized formulation showed 69 ± 2.8% encapsulation efficiency, 101.2 nm mean particle size, 0.429 PDI, and −24.1 mV zeta potential. Drug release exhibited biphasic kinetics with 60.7% cumulative release at 72 hours. The IC₅₀ against HeLa cells was 168 μg/mL, significantly lower than free extract (257.9 μg/mL). The niosomal formulation significantly upregulated TP53 and downregulated BCL2 expression compared to controls (P < 0.05), with negligible toxicity to normal HFF cells. Niosomal encapsulation substantially enhances Ashwagandha's anticancer efficacy against cervical cancer cells while maintaining normal cell viability, representing a promising biocompatible nanoplatform for targeted therapy.
 
Keywords
Apoptosis; Cervical cancer; Nanoparticle drug delivery; Withania somnifera
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