| Herbal medicines are of special importance in the prevention and treatment of several diseases such as cancer. Rutin is a plant active ingredient with various therapeutic effects, but due to its hydrophobicity, its bioavailability is low. The synthesis of nanoparticles improves the bioavailability of hydrophobic materials. The aim of this research was to assess the effect of rutin and on vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line (HN5). In this study, rutin nanocrystals (RNs) was produced through ultra-sonication technique and then were characterized by the conventional methods to use for evaluation of VDR gene expression by Real Time RT-PCR in comparison with bulk rutin. For statistical analysis of data, t-test and ANOVA were performed by SPSS software version 17 and a significant level of p≤0.05 was considered. The prepared RNs had a mean particle size of 83± 0.23 nm and quasi-spherical morphology. The VDR gene expression was not significantly different in rutin treated HN5 cells. RNs significantly decreased VDR gene expression (p <0.05). Also, RNs and rutin didn’t change the expression level of VDR gene, so rutin and RNs may don’t affect in invasion of tumor cells by the expression of Stat3 gene in HN-5 cells. Due to this study observed the effect of rutin and RNs on VDR expression, further studies could be performed to assess the effect of RNs in combination with vitamin D. Also, since the high anti-cancer effect of RNs, further laboratory studies, as well as animal studies, are recommended to confirm and suggest the clinical use of this herbal medicine. |