Analysis of the Effects of the Nanoformulated Piperine on Metastatic Gastric Cancer Cells and Immune System Cells

• Grant number: 25/23947-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Program to Stimulate Scientific Vocations
• Start date: February 16, 2026
• End date: April 04, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - General Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Sandra Helena Poliselli Farsky
• Grantee: Viviane Ribeiro Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

It is well-established in the literature that the development of solid tumors involves the participation of cells from the microenvironment, among which are cells of the immune system. Therefore, modulating the immune system has been a therapeutic strategy in chemotherapy for different solid tumors. Furthermore, the literature is extensive regarding the use of nanostructured systems to increase the efficacy of solid tumor treatments by increasing the bioavailability of drugs in tumor tissues, which reduces adverse effects and increases therapeutic efficiency. In this sense, this project aims to prepare and characterize a nanostructured formulation of piperine, a bioactive alkaloid from Piper nigrum, and evaluate its activities on metastatic gastric cancer cell lines and immune cells. This proposal aims to continue the investigation based on data obtained by the research group at the Federal University of Pará, which shows the potential of piperine in modulating processes related to cell proliferation in metastatic gastric cancer cells. It is worth emphasizing that gastric cancer is one of the most incident malignant neoplasms in the world, with high mortality rates, especially in advanced stages, where resistance to conventional therapies is more frequent, requiring the investigation of new therapeutic approaches. Thus, the mechanisms of toxicity and immunomodulation of piperine encapsulated in lipid-core nanocapsules will be investigated in the metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGP01 - Human Metastatic Gastric Adenocarcinoma Ascitic Fluid) and in a macrophage cell line (U937). The nanocapsules will be characterized by average particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, piperine content, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, morphology, and hyperspectral dark-field microscopy assays (CytoViva®). Cytotoxicity and immunomodulation will be evaluated by flow cytometry and ELISA assays. (AU)