Ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent, lipid peroxidation-driven cell death, has been extensively investigated in recent years, and several studies have suggested that the ferroptosis-inducing properties of iron-containing nanomaterials could be harnessed for cancer treatment. Here we evaluated the potential cytotoxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles, with and without cobalt functionalization (Fe₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃@Co-PEG), using an established, ferroptosis-sensitive fibrosarcoma cell line (HT1080) and a normal fibroblast cell line (BJ). In addition, we evaluated poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄-PEG-PLGA). Our results showed that all the nanoparticles tested were essentially non-cytotoxic at concentrations up to 100 μg/mL. However, when the cells were exposed to higher concentrations (200–400 μg/mL), cell death with features of ferroptosis was observed, and this was more pronounced for the Co-functionalized nanoparticles. Furthermore, evidence was provided that the cell death triggered by the nanoparticles was autophagy-dependent. Taken together, the exposure to high concentrations of polymer-coated iron oxide nanoparticles triggers ferroptosis in susceptible human cancer cells.

Objectives: Melanoma is a highly malignant and serious form of skin cancer. In addition to the standard treatments, complementary approaches, including phytotherapy, are also used to alleviate symptoms and improve patient well-being. This study aims to investigate the anticancer effects of Gypsophila eriocalyx (GE), an endemic species from Türkiye, on melanoma cells. We set out to determine the efficacy of GE in inhibiting melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and growth, and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Methods: We examined the impact of GE on the proliferation of two melanoma cell lines, Malme-3M and SK-MEL-28, and assessed its developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos. Next, we evaluated GE’s influence on colony formation and wound healing in melanoma cells, as well as its ability to induce apoptosis and affect the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, by measuring pathway reporter activity and target gene expression. Results: GE inhibited cell proliferation in melanoma cell lines at concentrations 104 to 488 times lower than those required for normal non-malignant L929 fibroblast cells. In zebrafish embryos, GE demonstrated developmental toxicity only at concentrations above 50 μg/mL. GE treatment significantly impaired the colony formation and wound healing abilities of melanoma cells, indicating reduced proliferation and migration. Moreover, GE induced apoptosis in melanoma cells and inhibited the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, as evidenced by decreased pathway reporter activity and target gene expression. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of GE as a novel therapeutic agent in melanoma treatment by demonstrating its ability to inhibit tumor growth and progression.