The apoptotic effect of garlic (Allium sativum) derived SEVs on different types of cancer cell lines in vitro

Background/aim: Small extracellular vesicles (SEVs) are known to have an impact on the physiological conditions of target cells, are a critical component of cell-to-cell communication, and have been implicated in a variety of diseases. Although it has been proposed that edible plant-derived nanoparticles have an effect on communication with mammalian cells, the influence of these nanoparticles on cancer cell development has yet to be explored.

Materials and methods: In order to characterize small extracellular vesicles obtained from garlic, specific SEV surface markers, antibodies, and size detections were identified using scanning electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Human hepatoma (Hep3B), human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y), human pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Panc-1a), human glioblastoma (U87), prostate cancer (PC-3), and human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cell lines were treated with garlic SEVs to examine their anticancer properties.

Results: Annexin V FITC/PI staining for apoptosis, mRNA, and protein expression levels via RT-PCR and ELISA indicated that garlic SEVs triggered apoptosis by activating the intrinsic pathway. Our findings support the idea that SEVs produced from garlic may trigger apoptotic cell death in cancer cells while having no effect on healthy cells.

Conclusion: It was discovered that plant SEVs had anti-cancer effects by activating caspase-mediated apoptosis.