• Cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of curcumin- silver nanoparticles on MCF7 cell line
  • Azadeh Taherpour,1 Asghar Zarban,2 Amir Hassan Asadian,3 Samira Karbasi,4 Mehdi Shakibaie,5,*
    1. 1Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran 2Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Molecular Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
    2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
    3. Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran
    4. cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
    5. Department of Pharmaceutics and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran


  • Introduction: Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Although significant progress has been made in treatment strategies, existing therapies are often insufficient, underscoring the need for more effective and targeted approaches. In recent years, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained attention as a novel and promising strategy in cancer treatment due to their ability to target tumor cells through diverse biological pathways.
  • Methods: The present study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potential of curcumin-mediated biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (C-AgNPs) against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, as well as to assess their effects on the expression of key genes involved in apoptosis. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated using the MTT assay, and the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes, including P53 and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, were quantified by real-time PCR (RT-PCR).
  • Results: Our results showed that C-AgNPs exert a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect. Moreover, gene expression analysis indicated the induction of apoptosis through the upregulation of pro-apoptotic markers, including the BAX/Bcl-2 ratio and P53.
  • Conclusion: C-AgNPs exhibited potent cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects on MCF-7 cells, suggesting their potential as a novel therapeutic agent for breast cancer. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to validate these findings.
  • Keywords: Silver nanoparticle, Curcumin, Apoptosis, Gene expression