Abstract

Objective Tumor suppressor miRNAs, miR-15a and miR-16–1, with high-specificity and oncogenic targeting of Bcl-2, can target tumor tissues. Disadvantages of the clinical application of free miRNAs include poor cellular uptake and instability in plasma, which can be partially improved by using nanocarriers to deliver anti-cancer agents to the tumor cell. Method In this study, cationic niosomes were designed and optimized with the specific formulation. Then, the physical characteristics, the cytotoxicity, the impact of transfected miRNAs on the expression of the Bcl-2 gene, and the apoptosis rate of the different formulation into prostate cancer cell were determined. Results The optimum formulation containing tween-60: cholesterol: DOTAP: DSPE-PEG2000 at 70:30:25:5 demonstrated that the vesicle size and zeta potentials were 69.7 nm and + 14.83 mV, respectively. Additionally, noisome-loaded miRNAs had higher toxicity against cancer cells comparing with free forms. The transfection of PC3 cells with the combination therapy of nanocarriers loaded of two miRNAs led to a significant decrease in the expression of the Bcl-2 gene and increased the degree of cell death in PC3 cells compared with other treatment groups, and the synergistic effects of co-delivery of miR-15a and miR-16–1 on prostate cancer cells were shown. Conclusion According to the results, it seems the designed niosomes containing miR-15a and miR-16–1 can target the Bcl-2 gene and provide a cheap, applicable, cost-effective, and safe drug delivery system against prostate cancer.