Biological Effect of Silver-modified Nanostructured Titanium Dioxide in Cancer

Abstract

Background/Aim: Nanomedicine is a promising scientific field that exploits the unique properties of innovative nanomaterials, providing alternative solutions in diagnostics, prevention and therapeutics. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) have a great spectrum of photocatalytic antibacterial and anticancer applications. The chemical modification of TiO 2 optimizes its bioactive performance. The aim of this study was the development of silver modified NPs (Ag/TiO 2 NPs) with anticancer potential. Materials and Methods: Ag/TiO 2 NPs were prepared through the sol-gel method, were fully characterized and were tested on cultured breast cancer epithelial cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). The MTT colorimetric assay was used to estimate cellular viability. Western blot analysis of protein expression along with a DNA-laddering assay were employed for apoptosis detection. Results and Conclusion: We show that photo-activated Ag/TiO 2 NPs exhibited significant cytotoxicity on the highly malignant MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, inducing apoptosis, while MCF-7 cells that are characterized by low invasive properties were unaffected under the same conditions.Nanomedicine is an emerging inter-disciplinary scientific field that exploits the unique properties of innovative 425 This article is freely accessible online.

Composite Nanoarchitectonics of Photoactivated Titania-Based Materials with Anticancer Properties

“…These findings are in accordance with some of our previous studies [ 3 , 32 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. PNIPAM/PAA salt did not also affect the MDA-MB-231 cells ( Figure 19 a); thus, PNIPAM/PAA salt is not cytotoxic in any of the cell lines in this range of concentrations ( Figure 17 a, Figure 18 a and Figure 19 a).…”

“…The cell cultures were maintained through incubation at 37 °C, 99% humidity, in a 5% CO 2 incubator. For the trypsinization of cells, a mixture of trypsin–EDTA at 0.05%/0.02% ( w / v ) (Gibco, UK) was used [ 45 ].…”

“…Previous studies conducted by our research group have shown that TiO 2 [ 43 , 44 ], N/TiO 2 [ 3 ] and Ag/TiO 2 NPs [ 45 ] may occasionally induce apoptosis on highly metastatic breast cancer cells, after photoactivation with UV-A light. Additionally, we have already shown that among the common crystal forms of TiO 2 , which are anatase, rutile and brookite, pure anatase (100%) was more bioactive, inducing apoptotic cell death on breast cancer cells, than a combination of anatase and rutile (75% anatase/25% rutile) [ 43 ].…”

ZnO Nanoparticles from Different Precursors and Their Photocatalytic Potential for Biomedical Use

“…In order to estimate the cell viability, MTT colorimetric assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) (Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide M5655, Sigma-Aldrich, Darmstadt, Germany) was performed, as reported previously [ 43 ]. For the control group, the cells used were treated with 0.5 mg/mL of cis-platin.…”

“…For the control group, the cells used were treated with 0.5 mg/mL of cis-platin. The process was repeated three times [ 42 , 43 ]. Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric test Statistical analysis was applied.…”