Evaluating the <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> effects of carvacrol zinc oxide quantum dots in breast cancer

The study investigates the molecular interactions and biological effects of carvacrol zinc oxide quantum dots (CVC-ZnO QDs) on breast cancer <i>in vitro</i> MCF-7 cell lines and <i>in vivo</i> mammary cancer models. Molecular docking using AutoDock Vina revealed binding energies of CVC with key proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, including PI3K, AKT, PTEN, and mTOR. The results showed significant interaction with specific amino acids, indicating a strong binding affinity. <i>In vitro</i> studies demonstrated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect of CVC-ZnO QDs on MCF-7 cells, with an IC₅₀ of 20.02 µg/mL, while enhancing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), indicative of apoptosis induction. Antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation, and nuclear morphological changes were assessed, revealing decreased antioxidant status and increased lipid peroxidation in treated cells. <i>In vivo</i>, CVC-ZnO QDs modulated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in DMBA-induced mammary cancer in rats, decreasing p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR expression while upregulating PTEN. Immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analyses confirmed these molecular alterations. The study concludes that CVC-ZnO QDs exert cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects on breast cancer cells by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and promoting oxidative stress, presenting a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer management.