Introduction:: Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Stem cells and their secretions have recently attracted attention as potential therapeutic agents due to their anti-cancer properties. This study investigated the effects of mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles (MVs) and Crocinpreconditioned MVs (MVs-Crocin) on lung cancer cells (A549) compared with normal cells (HEK293). Materials and Methods:: Mesenchymal stem cells were preconditioned with Crocin, and microvesicles were subsequently isolated. The appropriate therapeutic concentrations of MVs and MVs-Crocin were determined using the MTT assay. A549 and HEK293 cells were treated with the optimized doses. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, and the expression of apoptotic genes was analyzed through real-time PCR. Results:: MTT assay results identified 40 μg/ml for MVs and 50 μg/ml for MVs-Crocin as optimal therapeutic concentrations. Treatment with MVs and MVs-Crocin significantly reduced the survival of A549 cells, while apoptosis assays and gene expression analysis confirmed enhanced apoptotic activity in treated cancer cells. Discussion:: Both MVs and MVs-Crocin demonstrated potent anti-cancer effects by reducing lung cancer cell survival and inducing apoptosis. Preconditioning with Crocin appeared to further strengthen the therapeutic efficacy of MVs. Importantly, these effects were more pronounced in cancer cells compared to normal cells, indicating selective anti-cancer potential. Conclusion:: MVs and MVs-Crocin promote apoptosis in lung cancer cells and may serve as promising candidates for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against lung cancer.
Keshavaerz et al. (Tue,) studied this question.