Anti-cancer effects of nanoemulsion prepared using Zingiber Officinale L. tincture against PC3 prostate cancer cells

The purpose of this work was to estimate the anti-cancer properties of the nanoemulsions synthesized by Zingiber officinale L. tincture against PC3 prostate cancer cells.  Fresh ginger was initially procured from a local market, and extraction was performed after complete washing. In the next step, a nanoemulsion containing ginger extract was prepared using Tween 80, and its size and zeta potential were determined by a Zetasizer. The prepared nanoemulsion was assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to confirm the size and morphology of the particles. The toxicity of the nanoemulsion containing ginger extract against PC3 prostate cancer cells and normal HFF skin cells was evaluated using the MTT assay. To determine apoptosis, flow cytometry was used to assess cell cycle changes. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the nanoemulsion was estimated by DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging tests.  The results showed that the prepared nanoparticles had a size of 67 nm (confirmed by TEM electron microscopy) and a zeta potential of -25.05 mV. The results of the MTT assay showed inverse dose-dependent toxicity for different concentrations of ginger nanoemulsion against PC3 cells. In addition to anti-cancer activity, the nanoemulsion showed a potent ability to scavenge DPPH and ABTS free radicals.  Our results showed that the nanoemulsions containing ginger extract had toxicity against PC3 cancer cells but not normal cells, indicating their applicability as a suitable option for treating PC.