Silver nanoparticles biosynthesised using Centella asiatica leaf extract: apoptosis induction in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line

IET Nanobiotechnol. 2018 Oct;12(7):994-1002. doi: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2018.5069.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to green synthesised silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Centella asiatica leaf extract and investigate the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects of these nanoparticles in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The characteristics and morphology of the green synthesised AgNPs were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The MTT assay was used to investigate the anti-proliferative activity of biosynthesised nanoparticles in MCF-7 cells. Apoptosis test was performed using flow cytometry and expression of caspase 3 and 9 genes. The spherical AgNPs with an average size of 19.17 nm were synthesised. The results showed that biosynthesised AgNPs exhibited cytotoxicity, anti-cancer, apoptosis induction, and increased expression of genes encoding for caspases 3 and 9 in MCF-7 cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. It seems that green synthesised AgNPs have potential uses for pharmaceutical industries.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Centella / chemistry*
  • Green Chemistry Technology
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Silver / chemistry*
  • Silver / metabolism
  • Silver / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Silver