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

Marvasti, Mahdieh; Nikoonahad Lotfabadi, Narges; Haghiralsadat, Bibi Fatemeh

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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mahdieh Marvasti ¹

Narges Nikoonahad Lotfabadi ¹

Bibi Fatemeh Haghiralsadat ²

¹ Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Science and Arts University, Yazd, Iran.

² Stem Cell Biology Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

10.22034/jrb.2026.07.V2I1A1

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

Subjects