Synthesis of Epimedium extract selenium nanoparticles and evaluation their efficacy against lung cancer

Lung cancer, the foremost cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, necessitates the exploration for novel anti-lung cancer therapeutics to enhance efficacy and reduce adverse effects. Targeting selenium in the tumor microenvironment has become a new strategy for the treatment of lung cancer. The objective of this study was to synthesize novel selenium nanoparticles (EBM-SeNPs) using aqueous extracts derived from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim and investigate its structural characteristics and inhibitory effects against lung cancer. The physicochemical properties of EBM-SeNPs were characterized from multiple aspects using a variety of methods. The CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, Western blot and the cell derived xenograft model were conducted to evaluate the antitumor efficacy in vivo and in vitro. EBM-SeNPs were approximately spherical and exhibited superior dispersivity and stability in water solution. And EBM-SeNPs did not display any specific cytotoxicity against human liver cells. However, they showed outstanding capability to induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells, thereby effectively suppressing their growth and migratory potential. Furthermore, EBM-SeNPs demonstrated a reduction of tumor and an increase in immune organ index of tumor-bearing mice. Collectively, the EBM-SeNPs may be an effective and safe option for the treatment of lung cancer.