Anticancer activities of Careya arborea Roxb on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Potential of green-synthesized selenium nanoparticles using apigenin in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells

The utilization of novel compounds as cancer treatments offers enormous potential in this field. The advantages of nanomedicine-based therapy include efficient cellular uptake and selective cell targeting. In this study, we employ selenium nanoparticles' green-synthesized by apigenin (SeNPs-apigenin) to treat breast cancer. We used various assays to show that SeNPs-apigenin can reduce MCF-7 cell viability and trigger apoptosis in vitro. Flow cytometry and PCR methods were used to detect apoptosis, while cell migration and invasion methods were used to quantify the possible effect of SeNPs-apigenin therapy on cell migration and invasion. According to cytotoxicity testing, the SeNPs-apigenin treatment can successfully limit MCF-7 cell proliferation and viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometric and PCR analyses revealed that SeNPs-apigenin treatment induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, demonstrating that SeNPs-apigenin treatment could directly target Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 and result in the discharge of cytochrome C from mitochondria into the cytosol, accompanied by the initiation of cell death, leading to permanent DNA damage and killing of MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, treatment with SeNPs-apigenin increased reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress in MCF-7 cells. Our findings indicate that SeNPs-apigenin has cytotoxic potential in the treatment of breast cancer.

Quercetin against MCF7 and CAL51 breast cancer cell lines: apoptosis, gene expression and cytotoxicity of nano-quercetin

Aims: To evaluate the anti breast-cancer activity, biocompatibility and toxicity of poly(d,l)-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-encapsulated quercetin nanoparticles (Q-PLGA-NPs). Materials & methods: Quercetin was nano-encapsulated by an emulsion-diffusion process, and the nanoparticles were fully characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffractions, FESEM and zeta-sizer analysis. Activity against CAL51 and MCF7 cell lines were assessed by DNA fragmentation assays, fluorescence microscopy, and acridine-orange, and propidium-iodide double-stainings. Biocompatibility towards red blood cells and toxicity towards mice were also explored. Results: The Q-PLGA-NPs exhibited apoptotic activity against the cell lines. The murine in vivo studies showed no significant alterations in the liver and kidney's functional biomarkers, and no apparent abnormalities, or tissue damages were observed in the histological images of the liver, spleen, lungs, heart and kidneys. Conclusion: The study established the preliminary in vitro efficacy and in vivo safety of Q-PLGA-NPs as a potential anti-breast cancer formulation.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Efficacies of Anethum graveolens against Human Breast Carcinoma Cells through Oxidative Stress and Caspase Dependency

Anethum graveolens, belonging to the family Apiaceae, has been extensively used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes since long. Plants encompass rich number of effective constituents with less toxicity. Thus, nowadays, the attempts are being made to search plant constituents that can prevent and reverse the chronic diseases, such as cancer. In this study, an in vitro antioxidant and anticancer efficacies of Anethum graveolens (AG-ME) were studied on human breast (MCF-7), lung (A-549), and cervical (HeLa) carcinoma cell lines. The antioxidant efficacies of AG-ME were evaluated by total antioxidant, DPPH radical scavenging, H2O2 scavenging, and ferrous reducing antioxidant assays. Further, the anticancer potential of AG-ME was also determined against different cancer cell lines. The AG-ME exhibited strong antioxidant activities as observed by antioxidant assays. AG-ME also showed a dose-dependent anticancer/cytotoxic potential against MCF-7, A-549, and HeLa cell lines. The AG-ME-induced reduction in GSH and increase in SOD activities indicates the role of oxidative stress in AG-ME-induced MCF-7 cell death. The results also exhibited that AG-ME triggered ROS production and significantly reduced MMP level. Moreover, a dose-dependent increase in caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities suggests that the AG-ME-induced MCF-7 cell death is caspase-dependent. Together, the present study provides reasoning and reassurance for the uses of A. graveleons for medical purposes as an antioxidant and anticancer agent. Additional investigations are required to examine biological and anticancer activities under an in vivo system to discover a possible beneficial use of AG-ME against diseases.