Title : Niosomes encapsulated with natural products for cancer therapy

Natural products continue to play a central role in drug discovery, yet their therapeutic potential is often limited by poor aqueous solubility, chemical instability, and low bioavailability. Niosomes—self?assembled, non?ionic surfactant vesicles—offer a versatile nanocarrier system capable of overcoming these barriers. This work explores the formulation, characterization, and performance of a niosomal delivery system designed for a range of bioactive natural compounds. Niosomes were synthesized using a mixture of Tween 60, Span 60, and cholesterol. Extracts from the plant Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi (Crassulaceae), which showed cytotoxicity against a panel of human cell lines, were used for encapsulation. Niosomes were decorated with an antibody against Ewing’s sarcoma. Physicochemical analyses showed a good size, a polydispersity index <30%, and a zeta potential suitable for delivery. In vitro studies revealed enhanced cellular uptake and higher cytotoxic activities compared to the non-encapsulated counterpart. Collectively, these results highlight niosomes as a promising, scalable, and biocompatible platform for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of natural products. Their adaptability positions them as a valuable tool for future development of targeted, patient?friendly formulations.

Dr. Horacio Bach is affiliated with the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Faculty of Medicine. He holds a PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology from Tel Aviv University and two postdoctoral positions at the University of Minnesota and the University of British Columbia. Dr. Bach specializes in virulence factors of pathogenic Mycobacteria, nanomedicine, and antibody engineering. He is currently the Director of the Antibody Engineering and Proteomics Facility at the Immunology and Infection Research Center at the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.