# Integrative nanoformulation of paclitaxel, ruthenium (II), and curcumin for enhanced oral cancer cell suppression

## TL;DR

This study develops a new nanoformulation combining paclitaxel, ruthenium, and curcumin to improve treatment of oral cancer cells.

## Contribution

A novel integrative nanoformulation is proposed for enhanced oral cancer cell suppression.

## Key findings

- The CoENC-PTX formulation showed 94.8% drug release in 48 hours.
- Cytotoxicity assays showed reduced OSCC cell viability at 100 μg/mL.
- qPCR revealed p53 and c-Myc overexpression, indicating apoptosis and cell cycle regulation.

## Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) often responds poorly to conventional chemotherapy. This study aimed to enhance the efficacy of paclitaxel (PTX) by co-encapsulating it with a ruthenium (II) complex (Ru-II) and curcumin nanoparticles (C-NP).

C-NPs were prepared via wet milling, and Ru-II was synthesized through ligand coordination and reduction. The conjugate (CoENC-PTX) was obtained by combining PTX, Ru-II, and C-NP, followed by ultrafiltration. Characterization was performed using UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, and HRSEM. In vitro evaluations included drug release, cytotoxicity assays on OSCC cells, live/dead cell labeling, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis.

CoENC-PTX showed efficient encapsulation with distinct spectral, crystalline, and morphological features. Drug release exhibited a biphasic profile, with 94.8 % release in 48 h. Cytotoxicity assays indicated dose-dependent reduction in OSCC cell viability, with maximum effect at 100 μg/mL. Live/dead staining confirmed apoptosis, while qPCR revealed p53 and c-Myc overexpression, indicating apoptosis activation and cell cycle regulation.

The PTX–Ru-II–C-NP formulation significantly improved the anticancer activity against OSCC, offering a promising synergistic approach for oral cancer therapy.