Biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Argemone mexicana L. and their cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on human colon cancer cell line (HCT-15)

Abstract

Background Nanomedicine has evolved as precision medicine in novel therapeutic approach of cancer management. The present study investigated the efficacy of biogenic gold nanoparticles synthesized using Argemone mexicana L. aqueous extract (AM-AuNPs) against the human colon cancer cell line, HCT-15. Results Biosynthesis of AM-AuNPs was determined by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and further characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transition infrared spectroscopy analysis. The cytotoxic activity of AM-AuNPs was assessed by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, whereas genotoxicity was evaluated by the DNA fragmentation assay. The expression of apoptosis regulatory genes such as p53 and caspase-3 was explored through semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting to evidence apoptotic cell death in HCT-15 cells. Biogenic AM-AuNPs inhibited cell proliferation in HCT-15 cell line with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 20.53 μg/mL at 24 h and 12.03 μg/mL at 48 h of exposure. The altered cell morphology and increased apoptosis due to AM-AuNPs were also evidenced through nuclear DNA fragmentation and upregulated expression of p53 and caspase-3 in HCT-15 cells. Conclusion The AM-AuNPs may exert antiproliferative and genotoxic effects on HCT-15 cells by cell growth suppression and induction of apoptosis mediated by activation of p53 and caspase-3 genes.

Effects of gold nanoparticles on oxidative stress status in bladder cancer 5637 cells

“…It is worth mentioning that the observed differences between our results and the aforementioned studies might be derived from the different nature of AuNPs and the studied cell lines. Aside from inhibitory effects, in the current study and some others [11] , it was observed that morphological changes after treatment with AuNPs would depend remarkably on the concentration adopted from the MTT assay.…”

“…Mechanistically, AuNP-treated cells produce lots of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing membrane damage, increased mitochondrial activity and eventually cancer cell death. [11] Oxidative stress is often described as a cellular status caused by an increased amount of oxidants (free radicals or reactive species) over antioxidants. It is usually stated in this case that the free radicals destroy the antioxidants defense system.…”

Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract and Evaluation of Anti-Cancer Properties in Colon Cancer (Ht-29) Cells

“…Özellikle altın nanopartiküller kendilerine özgü kimyasal, fiziksel ve nontoksik özellikleri nedeni ile kanser tedavisi ve görüntülemesinde kullanımlarının araştırılması yönünden en yaygın çalışılan nanometallerden biridir. Son yıllarda, altın nanopartiküller basit bir şekilde sentezlenebilmeleri, yüzey modifikasyonlarının yapılabilmesi, ayarlanabilir çekirdek boyutu ve şekline sahip olmaları ve benzersiz optik özellikleri nedeniyle görüntüleme ajanları, teranostik ajanlar ve ilaç taşıyıcı sistemler olarak bilimsel araştırmalarda ilgi odağı haline gelmiştir (27)(28)(29).…”

Application of Green Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy and Diagnosis

“…Results show IC50 values of 20.53 μg/mL and 12.03 μg/mL after exposing the cells to biogenic AuNPs for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Increased apoptosis with altered morphology of cells was observed together with overexpressed p53 and caspase-3 [ 173 ].…”