In vitro and in vivo evaluation of anti-tumorigenesis potential of nano silver for gastric cancer cells

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) exhibit significant cytotoxicity against MKN45 cells (IC50: 105.5 µg/mL). In vivo, AgNP at 150 mg/kg induces necrosis, reduces proliferation, and alters gene expression, presenting a promising gastric cancer treatment strategy. Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. In this study, the anticancer effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) was evaluated in both In vitro and In vivo. First, an MTT assay was employed to estimate the cytotoxicity of AgNP. Next, the obtained IC50s were used as the main doses that were administrated. Regarding In Vitro, MKN45 cells were applied to induce tumor, and AgNP was administrated to mice at doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg for 28 days twice a week in treatment groups post-induction of cancer. After 28 days, the expressions of the BAX, BCL2, and CXCR1 genes were evaluated. An immunohistochemical examination of CD34 and Ki67 markers and tissue absorption of silver nanoparticles were also performed. Our MTT assay results showed that AgNP’s IC50 after 8, 24, and 48 h were 105.5, 70.8, and 22.4 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, the mean survival probability in the treatment groups was more than 25 days. It seemed that the effectiveness of the concentration of 150 mg/kg of silver nanoparticles had caused a significant amount of necrosis in the tumor cells. In addition, the proliferation rate was decreased significantly in the 150 mg/kg group, and the expression of CD34 and Ki67 markers was reduced significantly. However, the expression of BAX and BCL2 genes was increased in the treatment groups. So, as it was shown in this research in both In vitro and In vivo aspects, it seems that the administration of silver nanoparticles can represent a promising strategy in the treatment of gastric cancer.