Cytotoxicity effects of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on human colon cancer (HT29) cells

Background: Nowadays, investigations on the role of nanoparticles for diagnosis, and treatment of cancers are being increased. This study aimed at examining the cytotoxic effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on human colon cancer (HT29) and normal (HEK293) cells using the Artemisa tournefortiana extract. Materials and Methods: In the current study, the green synthesis of AgNPs was conducted using the A. tournefortiana extract. Then, the characterization of fabricated AgNPs was performed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. The HT29 and HEK293 cell lines were treated with different concentrations of synthesized AgNPs for 24 hours and the viability of cells and half-maximal inhibitory concentration) IC50( were calculated by the MTT assay. Results: The fabricated AgNPs showed the characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at around 425 nm. The crystallographic shapes from the XRD and TEM tests showed that the AgNPs were mostly spherical in shape, having an average diameter of 22 nm. The MTT results revealed that AgNPs significantly decreased the viability of cells in dose-and time-dependent manner. The IC50 values of nanoparticles for HT29 and HEK293 cell lines, during the 24 hours, were 40.71 and 61.38 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of the current study, the green fabricated AgNPs can have a more cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells compared to the normal cells. Thus, they can be considered as a promising strategy for the treatment of colon cancer

Gd 3+

Designing a unique theranostic biocompatible, biodegradable, and cost-effective agent which is easy to be synthesized as a biohybrid material was the aim of this study. In this matter, asparagine attached to anionic linear globular dendrimer G2 (as a biocompatible, biodegradable, and cost-effective agent which is negatively charged nanosized and water soluble polymer that outweighs other traditionally used dendrimers) and finally contrast agent (Gd3+) was loaded (which made complexes) in synthesized asparagine-dendrimer. Observations revealed that, in addition to successful colon cancer and brain targeting, Gd3+-dendrimer-asparagine, the proposed theranostic agent, could increase T1 MR relaxation times, decrease T2 MR relaxation times significantly, and improve contrast of image as well as illustrating good cellular uptake based on florescent microscopy/flow cytometry and ICP-mass data. In addition to that, it increased tumor growth inhibition percentage (TGI%) significantly compared to FDA approved contrast agent, Magnevist. Totally, Gd3+-anionic linear globular dendrimer G2-asparagine could be introduced to the cancer imaging/therapy (theranostics) protocols after in vivo MR and fluorescent analysis and passing clinical trials. Hence, this nanotheranostic agent would be a promising candidate for brain drug delivery and imaging in the future

The Inhibitory Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Bap Gene Expression in Antibiotic-Resistant Acientobacter bumanni Isolates using Real-Time PCR

Introduction: Acinetobacter bomanni is one of the most common opportunistic pathogens in hospitals that are resistant to many antibiotics due to biofilm production. Nowadays, silver nanoparticles(AgNPs) have received wide attention in medicine due to their physical and chemical properties. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of silver nanoparticles on antibiotic-resistant A. bumanni strains.   Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, A. bumanni was isolates from 100 clinical samples. After identification of A. bummani strains and determination of antibiotic resistant profiles, biofilm-producing isolates were determined using Congo red agar at 37°C after 24 hours. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the strains against AgNPs was determined. After 24 hours of exposure of the strains to sub-MIC concentration of AgNPs, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed. Finally, Bap gene expression was measured using real time PCR method. Finding: Out of 100 clinical isolates, 12 belonged to A. bummani, and all the strains were resistant to antibiotics, except for colistin. Real-time PCR results show that all the strains had a significant down-regulation in Bap gene expression compared to the control gene (P<0.05). Discussion & Conclusions: According to the anti-biofilm effects of AgNPs, it seems that AgNPs can be used as drug candidates in pharmaceutical industries

Evaluation of Anticancer Effect of Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Quercusin Fectoria Leaf against Colon Cancer HT29 Cell Line

Background and Aim: In traditional medicine and previous studies, Quercus infectoria plants have been suggested as a cancer treatment. The aim of the current study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of aqueous and hydro alcoholic extracts of Quercus infectoria leaf against colon cancer HT29 cell line and to evaluate the Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression in treated cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, aqueoFus and hydro alcoholic extracts of Quercus infectoria leaf were prepared. Then, the HT29 and HEK293 cell lines were treated by various concentrations of extracts for 24 hours and the cytotoxicity effect of extracts was estimated by colorimetric MTT (methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium) assay. Finally, the pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression in treated cells compared to GAPDH reference gene expression was evaluated using real time PCR technique. Findings: According to the MTT results, the cytotoxic activity of aqueous extract has dose-dependent manner against both cell lines, therefore, the Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression levels in treated cells by aqueous extract were changed 2.8 (p˂0.05) and 2.2-fold (p˃0.05) compared to reference gene, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that the aqueous extract of Quercus infectoria leaf has the potential for apoptosis induction in colon cancer HT29 cell line and based on more studies, it can be used as a colon cancer treatment

Cytotoxicity effects of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on human colon cancer (HT29) cells

Background: Nowadays, investigations on the role of nanoparticles for diagnosis, and treatment of cancers are being increased. This study aimed at examining the cytotoxic effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on human colon cancer (HT29) and normal (HEK293) cells using the Artemisa tournefortiana extract. Materials and Methods: In the current study, the green synthesis of AgNPs was conducted using the A. tournefortiana extract. Then, the characterization of fabricated AgNPs was performed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. The HT29 and HEK293 cell lines were treated with different concentrations of synthesized AgNPs for 24 hours and the viability of cells and half-maximal inhibitory concentration) IC50( were calculated by the MTT assay. Results: The fabricated AgNPs showed the characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at around 425 nm. The crystallographic shapes from the XRD and TEM tests showed that the AgNPs were mostly spherical in shape, having an average diameter of 22 nm. The MTT results revealed that AgNPs significantly decreased the viability of cells in dose-and time-dependent manner. The IC50 values of nanoparticles for HT29 and HEK293 cell lines, during the 24 hours, were 40.71 and 61.38 g/mL, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of the current study, the green fabricated AgNPs can have a more cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells compared to the normal cells. Thus, they can be considered as a promising strategy for the treatment of colon cancer

Identification of the chemical constituents of aqueous and alcoholic Glycyrrhiza glabra root extracts and its comparative apoptotic study against human hepatocarcinoma cell line

Introdution: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers. It is the third leading cause of cancer related death. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition of ethanolic and aqueous Glycyrrhiza glabra root extracts its apoptotic effects against human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line. Methods: In the current experimental study, the phyochemical composition of aqueous and ethanolic Glycyrrhiza glabra extract was evaluated by GC/MS method. The HepG2 cells were grown in RPMI1640 supplemented with 10 % (v/v) FBS at 37°C with 5 %carbon dioxide (CO2) atmosphere. The cytotoxicity activities of extracts were measured using MTT after 24 hours. To evaluate the ability of extracts to trigger apoptosis in HepG2 cells, the Hosest8778 staining method was carried out. Results: The phytochemical data of aqueous extract revealed 18 compounds, including Dodecane (13.34%) and 2',6'-Dihydroxyacetophenone bis (trimethylsilyl) ether (12.48%) as the major constitutes. The chemical composition of ethanolic extract showed 17 compounds, including Pentadecane (7.78%), 2,6,11,15-Tetramethylhexadecane (4.67%) as the prominent compounds. The MTT results revealed that the extract-treated cells had a dose-related toxicity effects. The results of Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the nuclear DNA fragmentation was increased in the ethanolic extract treatment compared to aqueous extract. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra possesses more apoptotic effect on cancer cells and further researches are needed for investigating its potential mechanis

Evaluation of chemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Aloysia citrodora extract on colon cancer cell line

Background: Aloysia citrodora belongs to the Verbenaceae family of plants, a well-known herbal medicine in Iran. The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of A. citrodora extract against human colon cancer (HT29) cells by using real-time polymerase chain reaction and flow-cytometry methods. Methods: This experimental study was carried out in Islamic Azad University, East Tehran Branch, from March to September of 2014. At first, the A. citrodora chemical constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. In addition, antioxidant assay, antibacterial and anti-cancer effect was performed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), disk diffusion and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) methods, respectively. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value was calculated. We extracted total RNA molecules by using RNX solution, after which cDNA was synthesized. Finally, the pro-apoptotic (Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl2) gene expression was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and apoptotic effects were analyzed using Flow-cytometry method. Results: GC-MS analysis of Aloysia citrodora extract was shown 37 major components and the most frequent component was belonged to Spathulenol (17.57%) and Caryophyllene oxide (15.15%) The antioxidant activity of the extract was IC50= 0.6&plusmn;0.03 mg/ml. The maximum and minimum antibacterial effects of extract were belonged to gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Cytotoxic results revealed that the A.citrodora extract have IC50= 20.1&plusmn;0.78 mg/ml against colon cancer (HT29) cell line and real-time polymerase chain reaction results showed the expression level of Bax and Bcl2 was increased and decreased respectively in colon cancer cell line (3.470&plusmn;0.72 (P< 0.05), 0.43&plusmn;0.35 (P< 0.05)). In addition, the flow-cytometry results indicated the 38.66% apoptosis in colon cancer cell line. Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that A. citrodora extract has potential antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer effects and it suggested that further studies were performed for A. citrodora pharmaceutical importance

The Inhibitory Effect of Artemisa quttensis Extract on norA Efflux Pump in Ciprofloxacin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains Using Ethidium Bromide and Real-Time PCR Methods

Background and Objectives: norA efflux pump is one of the mechanisms of ciprofloxacin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus strains, and finding natural herbal compounds with the ability to inhibit efflux pumps is one of the recent challenges. The aim of this study was to determine the inhibitory effect of Artemisa quttensis extract on norA efflux pump gene expression in ciprofloxacin resistant S. aureus strains. &nbsp; Methods: At first, A. quttensis ethanolic extract, was prepared by ethanol solvent. Then, existence of norA efflux pump was detected in 10 ciprofloxacin resistant clinical strains of S. aureus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Moreover, anti-efflux activity of the extract was determined using ethidium bromide method. Finally, after treatment of isolates with Sub-MIC concentration of the extract, norA gene expression level, was evaluated using real-time PCR method. &nbsp; Results: The PCR results showed that all of the strains had norA efflux pump, and and ethidium bromide method revealed that the A. quttensis extract had inhibitory effect on resistant strains that had norA efflux pump. Moreover, real-time PCR results showed that norA gene expression level was down-regulated by Sub-MIC concentrations of the extract in the ciprofloxacin resistant isolates. &nbsp; Conclusion: Considering the anti-efflux pump effect of A. quttensis extract, it seems that this extract has the potential to be used as a native plant in pharmaceutical industries. &nbsp; &nbsp

Comparative study on cytotoxicity effect of biological and commercial synthesized nanosilver on human gastric carcinoma and normal lung fibroblast cell lines

Background: Biosynthesis of nanoparticles has attracted the attention of the scientific community in nanotechnology and biotechnology due to their extensive application in the area of material sciences and medicine. Nowadays, despite a various application of nanomaterial’s, there is a little information about their impact on human health. In this study, we investigated the comparative study on cytotoxicity effect of biological and commercial synthesized nanosilver on human gastric carcinoma (AGS) and normal lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cell lines. Methods: The current experimental study was carried out in Islamic Azad University, East Tehran Branch, from April to November 2014. The biological synthesis of nanosilver was obtained from Eucalyptus plant extract as a reducing agent. Further to more analysis, morphological study on size and shape of developed biological nanosilver was characterized by performing scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. AGS and MCR-5 cell lines were treated with various concentration of nanosilver for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Finally, the cell viability was evaluated by using MTT assay. Results: The results show that the nanosilver exerts a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on viability of cells. At 100µg/mL of commercial and biological synthesized nanosilver, the viability of AGS was reduced to 7.47±0.002% (P=0.002) and 3.65±0.01% (P=0.003) after 72 hours, respectively. In addition, the viability of MRC-5 at the same condition was reduced to 10.27±0.19% (P=0.001) and 9.16±1.53% (P=0.002), respectively. Conclusion: Based on a thorough literature surveys, the present study is the first research about biosynthesis of nanosilver using Eucalyptus plant extract. This eco-friendly and cost effective method can be used for large scale production of silver nanoparticle. In addition, based on the current obtained data, commercial and biological synthesized nanosilver can more inhibitory effect on cancer cells compared to the normal cells. Hence, silver nanoparticles might be used as a new strategy for treating many human cancers. However, further studies are necessary to ascertain their potential as anticancer agents

Phytochemical composition, antibacterial and anticancer activities of Trifolium cherleri extract on lung cancer cell line (A549) and analysis of caspase 3 and caspase 9 apoptosis genes expression

Background: Medicinal plants have been identified and used from prehistoric times and these plants make many chemical compounds for biological functions. Trifolium cherleri is an herbaceous species belonging to the family of the Fabaceae to Africa, Eurasia and Australia. T. cherleri is an important member of the Fabaceae family that is well-known herbal medicine in Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical composition, antibacterial and anti-cancer activities of T. cherleri extract. Methods: This experimental study was performed in Islamic Azad University, from December 2016 to February 2017. At first, the phytochemical constituents of T. cherleri extract were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Subsequently, the antibacterial activity of the extract was evaluated against some gram positive and negative pathogenic bacteria included Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 35152 via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Moreover, anticancer potential of extract was examined by colorimetric MTT assay toward lung cancer (A549) cell line. Then, the evaluation of caspase 3 and 9 apoptosis gene expression was determined using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real-Time PCR) technique. Moreover, the Real-Time PCR was performed using relative quantitative method. Results: The phytochemical analyses of T. cherleri extract showed the 20 major components and the most frequent component was belonged to hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (20.7%) and 2-Pentadecanone, 6,10,14-trimethyl (19.9%). The extract had maximum antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. There was a dose dependent increase in the cytotoxicity effect of extract against A549 cancer cell. Moreover, the Real-Time PCR results indicated that the caspase 3 and caspase 9 gene expression was significantly up-regulated 2.57&plusmn;0.27 (P<0.05), and 3.3&plusmn;0.46 (P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the T. cherleri extract had significant anti-bacterial and anti-cancer effects and it appear that the extract has potential uses for pharmaceutical industries. Moreover, it could be considered as a promising source for novel drug compounds, but more studies are needed