Mesoporous silica particles functionalized with newly extracted fish oil (Omeg@Silica) inhibit lung cancer cell growth

Omeg@Silica microparticles consisting of whole fish oil rich in omega-3 lipids, vitamin D3 and zeaxanthin extracted with biobased limonene from anchovy fillet leftovers (AnchoisOil) encapsulated within mesoporous silica particles are highly effective in modulating oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage or in promoting antitumor effects in lung cancer cells. A panel of three different human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (A549, Colo 699 and SKMES) was used. Cancer cells were treated with AnchoisOil dispersed in ethanol (10 and 15 g/ml) or encapsulated in silica, and cell cycle, reactive oxigen species (ROS) and mitochondrial stress (MitoSOX) assessed by flow cytometry. The effects on long-term proliferation (clonogenic assay) were also evaluated. The sub-micron Omeg@Silica microparticles were more effective than fish oil alone in increasing ROS and mitocondrial damage, in altering cell cycle as well as in reducing colony formation ability in the tested lung cancer cell lines. These results suggest that Omeg@Silica mesoporous silica functionalized with whole fish oil has antitumor effects in NSCLC cell lines and support its investigation in lung cancer therapy.