Anti-proliferative effects of cabergoline nano conjugated form on lung cancer cells

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest and most drug-resistant cancers in the world. In this type of cancer, the effect of neurological factors and disruption of neurotransmitter pathways is significant. Cabergoline (CAB) is a specific dopamine receptor (DR) agonist that suppresses tumor cell proliferation and induces cell death. Since the high doses of this drug cause metabolic effects in patients, drug delivery methods have helped bring about better effects of the drug at lower doses. This study aimed to compare the effect of CAB and its nanofluid sample on the expression of DR genes on a lung cancer cell line (A549). Multi-wall carbon nanotubes conjugated with CAB were prepared using a reflux system and evaluated qualitatively. Nanofluid-containing nanodrug was delivered to lung cancer cells (A549) and normal cells (MRC-5) and evaluated by an MTT assay and flow cytometry. Then, the expression of DR genes was studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction before and after the treatment by drug and nanodrug. The findings revealed that nanodrug has a significant lethal influence on cancer cells. In addition, the findings showed the death of cancer cells located in the lung at a lower dose than the pure drug; however, it was not toxic to MRC-5 cells. The design of this nano-targeted drug delivery system showed that it could be a new strategy for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer, increase drug delivery efficiency, and consequently induce apoptosis in cancer cells while reducing drug-induced side effects in normal cells.