Apoptosis induction in colon cancer cells (SW480) by BiFe2O4@Ag nanocomposite synthesized from Chlorella vulgaris extract and evaluation the expression of CASP8, BAX and BCL2 genes.

BACKGROUND: The use of nanomaterials in cancer diagnosis and treatment has received considerable interest. Preparation of nanoscale complex molecules could be considered to improve the efficacy and minimize toxicity of the product. This work aimed to biosynthesize BiFe2O4@Ag nanocomposite using the Chlorella vulgaris extract and its cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cell line. METHODS: The physicochemical properties of the bioengineered BiFe2O4 @Ag were investigated by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Zeta potential, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Vibrating-sample Magnetometer (VSM) and X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD). The cytotoxic potential of BiFe2O4 @Ag was evaluated by MTT assay against SW480 colon cancer cell line. The expression levels of apoptotic genes including BAX, BCL2 and CASP8 were determined by Real-time PCR. The rate of apoptosis and necrosis of the cancer cells as well as the cell cycle analysis were evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Physicochemical assays indicated the nanoscale synthesis (10-70 nm) and functionalization of BiFe2O4 nanoparticles by Ag atoms. The VSM analysis revealed the magnetism of BiFe2O4 @Ag nanocomposite. According to the MTT assay, colon cancer cells (SW480) were considerably more sensitive to BiFe2O4 @Ag nanocomposite than normal cells. Apoptotic cell percentage increased from 1.93% to 73.66%, after exposure to the nanocomposite. Cell cycle analysis confirmed an increase in the number of the cells in subG1 and G0/G1 phases among nanocomposite treated cells. Moreover, treating the colon cancer cells with BiFe2O4 @Ag caused an increase in the expression of CASP8, BAX, and BCL2 genes by 3.1, 2.6, and 1.2 folds, respectively. Moreover, activity of Caspase-3 protein increased by 2.4 folds and apoptotic morphological changes appeared which confirms that exposure to the nanocomposite induces extrinsic pathway of apoptosis in colon cancer cells. CONCLUSION: The considerable anticancer potential of the synthesized BiFe2O4 @Ag nanocomposite seems to be related to the induction of oxidative stress which leads to inhibit cell cycle progression and cell proliferation. This study reveals that the BiFe2O4 @Ag is a potent compound to be used in biomedical fields.

Evaluation the cytotoxic effect of Fe3O4@Glu-Gingerol on lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) with biological mechanisms.

The use of nanotechnology products with supermagnetic properties for targeted delivery of drugs has gained attention recently. Due to the anticancer features of Gingerol, the major phenolic compound from Ginger, this study aims to prepare Fe3O4@Glucose-Gingerol nanoparticles (NPs) and investigate their anticancer potential in a lung adenocarcinoma cell line. The physical and chemical features of the nanoparticles were investigated by FT-IR, XRD, zeta potential, DLS, EDS mapping, VSM, and electron microscope imaging. Cytotoxic effects of the nanoparticles for the A549 (lung adenocarcinoma) and MRC-5 (normal) cell lines was investigated by MTT assay. Furthermore, the effects of Fe3O4@Glucose-Gingerol nanoparticles on the expression of the CASP8, BAX, and BCL2 genes and the activity of Caspase 3 were characterized. The flow cytometry assay (annexin V/PI) was employed to find out the percentage of apoptotic cells. The Fe3O4@Glu-Gingerol NPs were spherical (42-67 nm), without elemental impurity, and with surface charge, DLS size, and magnetic saturation of -47.7 mV, 154 nm, and 35 emu/g, respectively. Fe3O4@Glu-Gingerol NPs showed a remarkable greater toxicity in the A549 cells than normal cell line with the 50 % inhibition concentration (IC50) of 190 and 554 µg/mL, respectively. Treatment of lung adenocarcinoma cells with the Fe3O4@Glu-Gingerol NPs led to an increase in cell apoptosis from 4.6 to 39.48 %. Also, the CASP8 and BAX genes were upregulated by 2.49 and 2.8 folds, respectively, while a downregulation by 0.75 folds was noticed for the BCL2. Moreover, apoptotic features were observed in Fe3O4@Glu-Gingerol NPs treated cells by Hoechst staining, and activation of Caspase 3 by 2.8 folds. This study revealed that the Fe3O4@Glu-Gingerol NPs have antiproliferative effects on the lung adenocarcinoma cell line by activation of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis that is a promising feature in cancer treatment.