Nanocellulose-based Pickering emulsion of sesamolin manifested increased anticancer activity and necrosis in human colon cancer (HCT116) cells.

Sesamolin possesses limited aqueous solubility, a drawback for biological activity study in cancer cell models. This study aimed to enhance sesamolin's ability to fight cancer, as it is a bioactive compound with low water solubility found in sesame. We developed different Pickering emulsion delivery systems and tested their anticancer effects on various cancer cell types. Sesamolin was incorporated into either sesame or olive oil and subsequently formulated as oil in water (o/w) Pickering emulsions stabilized by the carboxylated cellulose nanocrystal (cCNC). The anticancer activity was determined based on cell viability and the induction of cell death mechanisms. The results demonstrated a synergistic effect of the components in the emulsion, including sesamolin, sesame oil, and olive oil, and a decrease in HCT116 viability in a concentration-dependent manner and selectively on cancer cells compared to non-cancerous Vero cells. The primary mode of cell death was predominantly ROS-induced necrosis, with no change in caspase 3/7 activity, indicating the absence of apoptosis. This study first presents the necrotic cell death mechanism induced by sesamolin. The findings reveal that the cCNC emulsion delivery system is safe and appropriate for transporting lipophilic chemicals and can overcome solubility limitations.