Cytotoxicity effects of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on human colon cancer (HT29) cells

Nowadays, investigations on the role of nanoparticles for diagnosis, and treatment of cancers are being increased. This study aimed at examining the cytotoxic effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on human colon cancer (HT29) and normal (HEK293) cells using the Artemisa tournefortiana extract.
In the current study, the green synthesis of AgNPs was conducted using the A. tournefortiana extract. Then, the characterization of fabricated AgNPs was performed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. The HT29 and HEK293 cell lines were treated with different concentrations of synthesized AgNPs for 24 hours and the viability of cells and half-maximal inhibitory concentration) IC50( were calculated by the MTT assay.
The fabricated AgNPs showed the characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at around 425 nm. The crystallographic shapes from the XRD and TEM tests showed that the AgNPs were mostly spherical in shape, having an average diameter of 22 nm. The MTT results revealed that AgNPs significantly decreased the viability of cells in dose-and time-dependent manner. The IC50 values of nanoparticles for HT29 and HEK293 cell lines, during the 24 hours, were 40.71 and 61.38 mg/mL, respectively.
According to the results of the current study, the green fabricated AgNPs can have a more cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells compared to the normal cells. Thus, they can be considered as a promising strategy for the treatment of colon cancer.