Bioactivities of the Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Reduced Using <i>Allium cepa L</i> Aqueous Extracts Induced Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines
Ahmed A. H. Abdellatif, Amer Mahmood, Mansour Alsharidah, Hamdoon A. Mohammed, Salman Khalaf Alenize, Abdellatif Bouazzaoui, Osamah Al Rugaie, Abdullah M. Alnuqaydan, Rehan Ahmad, Mansoor‐Ali Vaali‐Mohammed, Musaad Alfayez, Thamer Bin Traiki, Khalid Al-Regaiey, Asmaa T. Ali, Yasser A. Hassan, Maha‐Hamadien Abdulla
Abstract
Allium cepa L ( A. cepa ) extract is frequently used as an adjuvant food in cancer treatment. We hypothesized that it contains a source of anticancer activity. There is a need to synthesize the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an environment‐friendly green synthesis reduction method using an aqueous extract of A. cepa . The AgNPs‐CEPA were prepared by reduction method using the aqueous extract of A. cepa . The formed AgNPs‐CEPA were characterized for their sizes and charge distribution. The AgNP‐CEPA was investigated for its antioxidant and anticancer properties. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Gene expression was evaluated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and apoptosis measurement was carried out by flow cytometry in AgNP‐CEPA‐treated cells. The results showed a uniform size for AgNPs‐CEPA of 155 ± 2.1 nm with a zeta potential of −37.3 ± (−2.92) mv. The produced AgNPs‐CEPA are biocompatible with anticancer action and a moderate level of antioxidant reactivity. AgNPs‐CEPA showed better reducing activity for A. cepa extract compared to the AgNPs‐CEPA. AgNP‐CEPA treatment of human colorectal cancer cell lines (HT‐29 and SW620) inhibited cell proliferation and altered Bcl2 family gene expression. Moreover, exposure of cell lines to AgNPs‐CEPA resulted in the significant induction of apoptosis compared to A. cepa and AgNO 3 . These findings indicate that AgNP‐CEPA induces apoptosis by inhibiting Bcl2 family gene expression, suggesting that this formula is a promising anticancer agent for treating colorectal cancer.