Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Ganoderma neo-japonicum Imazeki: a potential cytotoxic agent against breast cancer cells

• Published in: International journal of nanomedicine Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 4399 - 4413
• Main Authors: Gurunathan, Sangiliyandi, Raman, Jegadeesh, Abd Malek, Sri Nurestri, John, Priscilla A, Vikineswary, Sabaratnam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2013; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Press; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Absorption spectroscopy; AgNPs; Analysis; Antineoplastic Agents - chemical synthesis; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms; Care and treatment; Caspase 3 - metabolism; caspase-3 activity; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cytotoxicity; DNA fragmentation; DNA Fragmentation - drug effects; Female; Ganoderma; Ganoderma - metabolism; Ganoderma neo-japonicum; Green Chemistry Technology - methods; Health aspects; human breast cancer cells; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Mycelia; Nanoparticles; Original Research; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Particle Size; Silver; Silver - chemistry; Silver - pharmacology; Spectrum analysis; Transmission electron microscopy; South Korea; Malaysia; AgNPs; human breast cancer cells; Ganoderma neo-japonicum; caspase-3 activity; cytotoxicity; DNA fragmentation
• ISSN: 1178-2013; 1176-9114; 1178-2013
• DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S51881

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are an important class of nanomaterial for a wide range of industrial and biomedical applications. AgNPs have been used as antimicrobial and disinfectant agents due their detrimental effect on target cells. The aim of our study was to determine the cytotoxic effects of biologically synthesized AgNPs using hot aqueous extracts of the mycelia of Ganoderma neo-japonicum Imazeki on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. We developed a green method for the synthesis of water-soluble AgNPs by treating silver ions with hot aqueous extract of the mycelia of G. neo-japonicum. The formation of AgNPs was characterized by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the toxicity of synthesized AgNPs was evaluated using a series of assays: such as cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase leakage, reactive oxygen species generation, caspase 3, DNA laddering, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling in human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy results showed a strong resonance centered on the surface of AgNPs at 420 nm. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the synthesized AgNPs were single-crystalline, corresponding with the result of transmission electron microscopy. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with various concentrations of AgNPs (1-10 μg/mL) for 24 hours revealed that AgNPs could inhibit cell viability and induce membrane leakage in a dose-dependent manner. Cells exposed to AgNPs showed increased reactive oxygen species and hydroxyl radical production. Furthermore, the apoptotic effects of AgNPs were confirmed by activation of caspase 3 and DNA nuclear fragmentation. The results indicate that AgNPs possess cytotoxic effects with apoptotic features and suggest that the reactive oxygen species generated by AgNPs have a significant role in apoptosis. The present findings suggest that AgNPs could contribute to the development of a suitable anticancer drug, which may lead to the development of a novel nanomedicine for the treatment of cancers.