Quercetin nanoemulsion ameliorates key hallmarks of lung cancer

Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with current treatments facing challenges such as adverse effects, limited targeting and resistance. Quercetin, a naturally occurring and abundantly available flavonoid in the global flora, exhibits promising anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. However, its clinical application is limited by poor bioavailability and stability. Nanotechnology offers a solution to enhance the delivery and efficacy of quercetin. In this study, an optimised nanoemulsion of quercetin was developed and its anti-cancer effects against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were evaluated in the human adenocarcinoma cell line (A549), comparing its effects with the Quercetin pure drug (QPD) at varying concentrations. QNE in comparison to QPD was found to significantly inhibit key cancer hallmarks like cell proliferation, migration and colony formation in the functional assays and downregulated the expression of numerous oncogenic proteins and genes that are associated with angiogenesis, metastasis and uncontrolled cell growth, ultimately facilitating cancer progression. The anticancer potential of Quercetin was further examined through computational approaches involving network analysis and molecular docking that further supported its potential as an anti-cancer agent, correlating in vitro and in silico data. The enhanced anti-cancer activity of QNE compared to QPD suggests that nano-emulsion based delivery of quercetin is attributing to its effective therapeutic efficacy, highlighting its potential against lung cancer. However, expedited studies, particularly in vivo animal models, are essential to fully assess its therapeutic potential and safety profile.