Anticancer and antibacterial potentials induced post short-term exposure to electromagnetic field and silver nanoparticles and related pathological and genetic alterations: in vitro study

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Moringa Peregrina and Their Toxicity on MCF-7 and Caco-2 Human Cancer Cells

Introduction

The synthesis of nanoparticles using naturally occurring reagents such as vitamins, sugars, plant extracts, biodegradable polymers and microorganisms as reductants and capping agents could be considered attractive for nanotechnology. These syntheses have led to the fabrication of limited number of inorganic nanoparticles. Among the reagents mentioned above, plant-based materials seem to be the best candidates, and they are suitable for large-scale biosynthesis of nanoparticles.

Methods

The aqueous extract of Moringa peregrina leaves was used to synthesize silver nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by various spectral studies including FT-IR, SEM, HR-TEM and XRD. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the silver nanoparticles was studied viz. DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging potential and reducing power with varied concentrations. The anticancer potential of the nanoparticles was also studied against MCF-7 and Caco-2 cancer cell lines.

Results

The results showed that silver nanoparticles displayed strong antioxidant activity compared with gallic acid. Furthermore, the anticancer potential of the nanoparticles against MCF-7 and Caco-2 in comparison with the standard Doxorubicin revealed that the silver nanoparticles produced significant toxic effects against the studied cancer cell lines with the IC50 values of 41.59 (Caco-2) and 26.93 (MCF-7) µg/mL.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the biosynthesized nanoparticles using M. peregrina leaf aqueous extract as a reducing agent showed good antioxidant and anticancer potential on human cancer cells and can be used in biological applications.

Dual anticancer and antibacterial activity of fluorescent naphthoimidazolium salts

Cancer has emerged as a significant global health challenge, ranking as the second leading cause of death worldwide. Moreover, cancer patients frequently experience compromised immune systems, rendering them susceptible to bacterial infections. Combining anticancer and antibacterial properties in a single drug could lead to improved overall treatment outcomes and patient well-being. In this context, the present study focused on a series of hydrophilic naphthoimidazolium salts with donor groups (NI-R), aiming to create dual-functional agents with antibacterial and anticancer activities. Among these compounds, NI-TPA demonstrated notable antibacterial activity, particularly against drug-resistant bacteria, with MIC value of 7.8 μg mL-1. Furthermore, NI-TPA exhibited the most potent cytotoxicity against four different cancer cell lines, with an IC50 range of 0.67-2.01 μg mL-1. The observed high cytotoxicity of NI-TPA agreed with molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies targeting c-Met kinase protein. Additionally, NI-TPA stood out as the most promising candidate for two-photo excitation, fluorescence bioimaging, and localization in lysosomes. The study findings open new avenues for the design and development of imidazolium salts that could be employed in phototheranostic applications for cancer treatment and bacterial infections.

The Role of Silver Nanoparticles in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer: Are There Any Perspectives for the Future?

Cancer is a fatal disease with a complex pathophysiology. Lack of specificity and cytotoxicity, as well as the multidrug resistance of traditional cancer chemotherapy, are the most common limitations that often cause treatment failure. Thus, in recent years, significant efforts have concentrated on the development of a modernistic field called nano-oncology, which provides the possibility of using nanoparticles (NPs) with the aim to detect, target, and treat cancer diseases. In comparison with conventional anticancer strategies, NPs provide a targeted approach, preventing undesirable side effects. What is more, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have shown good pharmacokinetics and precise targeting, as well as reduced multidrug resistance. It has been documented that, in cancer cells, NPs promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, activate ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress, modulate various signaling pathways, etc. Furthermore, their ability to inhibit tumor growth in vivo has also been documented. In this paper, we have reviewed the role of silver NPs (AgNPs) in cancer nanomedicine, discussing numerous mechanisms by which they render anticancer properties under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, as well as their potential in the diagnosis of cancer.