Preliminary research has suggested that rice bran nanoparticles could potentially offer a safe, effective, and affordable cancer treatment option in the future.
While the researchers described the anti-cancer effects as significant, further clinical trials are necessary to determine their efficacy in human subjects.
Promising Discoveries
Rice bran, a by-product of the rice-milling process, contains essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fatty acids. It also harbors compounds with anti-cancer properties like γ-oryzanol, γ-tocotrienol, and tricin. Nanoparticles are minute particles used for delivering substances to tissues.
The study conducted in Japan hypothesized that rbNPs could hold substantial therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.
Upon injecting rbNPs into mice with colon26 cancer, researchers observed halted cell division and the initiation of apoptosis (cell death), indicating potent anti-cancer effects. The expression of proteins like β-catenin, involved in cell proliferation, and cyclin D1, involved in cancer metastasis, also decreased.
The study reported that the anti-cancer activity of rbNPs surpassed that of other plant-derived nanoparticles (pdNPs) from sources like grapes, ginger, and lemon. While ginger and lemon exhibited significant reductions in colon26 cells at high concentrations, rbNPs showcased the greatest decrease in colon26 cells across all concentrations.
A significant part of the study involved comparing the anti-cancer activity of rbNPs with the nanoparticle cancer medication Doxil, a form of the generic drug doxorubicin. The results showed that rbNPs were more effective at reducing the number of cancer cells.
Potential Advantages Over Traditional Cancer Treatments
Safety
An important advantage of rbNPs is their safety profile, as conventional treatments often harm healthy cells along with cancerous ones. In advanced cancer stages, tissue loss can be substantial and even fatal. The fact that rbNPs did not exhibit this effect in mice is a significant benefit.
Comparison of the safety profiles of doxorubicin and rbNPs revealed that the former was toxic to both cancerous and noncancerous cells, whereas the latter was only toxic to the cancerous cells. This indicated that rbNPs were safer than doxorubicin in mice. Additionally, unlike the potential side effects of doxorubicin such as heart damage, rbNPs did not produce any side effects in mice.
Affordability
Due to their low production costs, rbNPs are highly affordable, a rarity in the realm of cancer treatment.
Utilizing Nanotechnology to Enhance the Therapeutic Potential of Natural Compounds
Bioavailability
In recent years, some pharmaceutical companies have explored the use of plant-derived compounds for disease treatment. However, one of the major challenges they face is low bioavailability. Nanoparticles enhance bioavailability through various mechanisms, as highlighted in a 2020 study in the journal Open Medicine.
This enhanced bioavailability is partly due to the extremely small particle size. Nutritionist Lisa Richards explained, “Nanoparticles are tiny particles typically ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers in size. To put that into perspective, a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.”
However, the study also pointed out that small size is just one factor contributing to increased bioavailability. The unique properties that natural compounds acquire when on a nanoscale, such as enhanced solubility and improved permeation through biological barriers, also play a role.
Targeted Delivery
“Nanoparticles can be tailored to target specific tissues or cells in the body, enabling precise delivery of nutrients to where they are most needed. This targeted approach can reduce potential side effects and enhance the efficacy of the nutrients,” added Ms. Richards.
Stability
Stability-related physiochemical properties are crucial for any pharmaceutical product. Ms. Richards noted that nutrients enclosed within nanoparticles tend to be more stable than their free forms, making them less prone to degradation over time or in harsh conditions. This extended shelf life ensures the nutrients remain effective until reaching their intended destination in the body.
Side Effects
The JN study highlighted that rbNPs significantly inhibited tumor growth without notable side effects. Nevertheless, human clinical trials are imperative to assess their tolerability in humans.
The 2020 study suggested that pdNPs generally induce fewer side effects than conventional medications.
Could This Transform Cancer Treatment?
While the JN study presents promising results, it is premature to label it as a breakthrough in cancer treatment. Safety and efficacy must be validated through human clinical trials. Additionally, certain production-related parameters need evaluation before rbNPs can be introduced to the market for cancer treatment.
Dr. Wael Harb, a board-certified medical oncologist at Memorial Care Cancer Institute, emphasized the need for extensive human research to translate these findings into clinical practice. He stated, “After phase I and II clinical trials, a phase III trial comparing it to Doxil or other standard treatments would be required.”
Should rbNPs demonstrate anti-cancer benefits in humans, researchers would need to determine the clinical significance of these effects. Dr. Harb raised a pertinent question: if a new intervention results in a 10% increase in cancer cell death, would this translate to improved survival or quality of life for the patient? “It is too early to declare this as a breakthrough,” he affirmed.
