A Novel Biosynthesized $ ZnFe_{2} %$ O_{4} $@Ag Nanocomposite: Implications for Cytotoxicity, Gene Expression and Antiproliferative Studies in Breast Cancer Cell Line

Abstract The development of potent anticancer compounds with magnetic properties not only provides efficient cancer chemotherapy through site-directed drug delivery but also reduces their side effects by prevention of systemic distribution of the drugs. Therefore, this work aimed to biosynthesize $...
Ausführliche Beschreibung

Abstract The development of potent anticancer compounds with magnetic properties not only provides efficient cancer chemotherapy through site-directed drug delivery but also reduces their side effects by prevention of systemic distribution of the drugs. Therefore, this work aimed to biosynthesize $ ZnFe_{2} %$ O_{4} $Ag nanocomposite and characterizes its antiproliferative potential against breast cancer cells. The nanocomposite was synthesized using Scenedesmus obliquus extract, its proper synthesis was characterized using physicochemical analyses and its antiproliferative potential in MCF-7 cells was investigated. The nanocomposite had spherical shapes with a size range of 26–44 nm with a low agglomeration state and zeta potential of − 32 mV. Also, the purity and magnetic property of $ ZnFe_{2} %$ O_{4} $@Ag nanoparticles were confirmed by EDS-mapping and VSM analyses, respectively. The MTT assay revealed significantly higher cytotoxicity of $ ZnFe_{2} %$ O_{4} $@Ag for MCF-7 breast cancer cells than HEK-293 (normal) cells, with $ IC_{50} $ value of 111 and 372 µg/mL, respectively. The flow cytometry assay showed apoptosis induction of 49.7% in nanocomposite treated MCF-7 cells, which was confirmed by increased expression of caspase-8 (1.81 folds), and p53 (1.70 folds) genes, and also increased activity of the caspase-3 protease (2.1 folds). The nuclear damages induced by $ ZnFe_{2} %$ O_{4} $@Ag exposure, including chromatin fragmentation and appearance of apoptotic bodies were also confirmed by Hoechst staining of MCF-7 cells. This work described the green synthesis of $ ZnFe_{2} %$ O_{4} $@Ag nanocomposite and characterized their antiproliferative potential against breast cancer cells that could be considered for site-directed cancer chemotherapy after further in-vivo characterization. Ausführliche Beschreibung