Efficacy of curcumin‑synthesized silver nanoparticles on MCF‑7 breast cancer cells

Abstract

The most common cancer in women worldwide and an important contributor to cancer-related death is breast cancer. Despite advances in treatment, current therapeutic methods remain insufficient, necessitating the development of innovative approaches. Nanotechnology, particularly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), has emerged as a promising avenue in cancer therapy, offering the ability to target cancer cells through multiple mechanisms. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the anticancer potential of curcumin-biosynthesized AgNPs (C-AgNPs) and their molecular mechanisms on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay, and the anti-migratory effect was determined through the scratch assay. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects were investigated using RT-PCR to measure the expression levels of apoptotic-related genes, including P53, BAX, P21, and Bcl-2. Our results showed that C-AgNPs significantly inhibited MCF-7 cell migration. Moreover, gene expression analysis indicated the induction of apoptosis by upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes BAX and P53 and downregulation of Bcl-2. C-AgNPs demonstrated potent cytotoxic and anti-metastatic effects on MCF-7 cells, with the ability to induce apoptosis. C-AgNPs represent a promising candidate for the development of novel breast cancer therapies. However, further research is needed to address this effectiveness.