The Biochemical Effects of Silver Nanoparticles and Spirulina Extract on Experimentally Induced Prostatic Cancer in Rats

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed cancer in 112 countries and the second leading cause of death in men in 48 countries. We studied the outstanding agents silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Spirulina algae (Sp) for the management of PCa once as monotherapy or last as a combination. PCa in rats was induced using bicalutamide (Casodex®) and testosterone, followed by (7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene). Then, testosterone was injected s.c. for 3 months. Rats were divided into six groups, with 12 rats in each group. Group I was assigned as the control (co), group II as the PCa model, group III treated with AgNPs, group IV treated with Spirulina extract, group V treated with a combination of AgNPs plus Spirulina, and group VI treated with bicalutamide. The results show that AgNPs could normalize IL-6 levels and could overcome the hormonal disturbance induced in PCa rats along the hypothalamic–pituitary–testis axis. Spirulina revealed a significant reduction in the level of total and free prostatic specific antigen (PSA) to the same level as bicalutamide treatment, which was the same as the control group. Histopathological study revealed regression (75%) of the histological pattern of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) for Spirulina alone, and (50%) for bicalutamide. The best effect on IL-6 decline was reached with the AgNPs/Spirulina combination as well as bicalutamide treatment compared with the PCa group. Bicalutamide treatment significantly decreased the PSA concentration relative to the PCa group and reached the normal level. Adding Spirulina to AgNPs as a combination enhanced its effect on all mentioned drawbacks associated with PCa except hormonal imbalance that needs more adjustments.

Exploring the Therapeutic Properties of Alga‐Based Silver Nanoparticles: Anticancer, Antibacterial, and Free Radical Scavenging Capabilities

“…SEM analysis employs an electron microscope to determine the presence of silver nanoparticles [24] . The spherical shape of AgNP with homogeneous shape and size is depicted in the SEM analysis [25] . SEM was used to determine the morphological characteristics of silver nanoparticles.…”

“…[24] The spherical shape of AgNP with homogeneous shape and size is depicted in the SEM analysis. [25] SEM was used to determine the morphological characteristics of silver nanoparticles. The critical analysis revealed that the silver nanoparticles of S. platensis were faintly clustered, mostly circular, and found throughout the region where they formed.…”

Bibliometric analysis on exploitation of biogenic gold and silver nanoparticles in breast, ovarian and cervical cancer therapy

“…Researchers used biogenic Ag@NP which displayed potent toxic effects against both cancer cell lines and pathogens, and also exhibited antioxidant activity (Wei et al, 2021). Recently Ag@NP were also tested with spirulina on rats to treat prostate cancer, and it was found that a class of rats showed good result in the context of treatment with stability in hormone imbalance (El-Magid et al, 2022).…”