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Antitumor activity of colloidal silver on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells
Moisés A Franco-Molina1, Edgar Mendoza-Gamboa, Crystel A Sierra-Rivera
1Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, N, L, México. moyfranco@gmail.com
Background:
Colloidal silver has been used as an antimicrobial and disinfectant agent. However, there is scarce information on its antitumor potential. The aim of this study was to determine if colloidal silver had cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and its mechanism of cell death.
Methods:
MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with colloidal silver (ranged from 1.75 to 17.5 ng/mL) for 5 h at 37°C and 5% CO2 atmosphere. Cell Viability was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion method and the mechanism of cell death through detection of mono-oligonucleosomes using an ELISA kit and TUNEL assay. The production of NO, LDH, and Gpx, SOD, CAT, and Total antioxidant activities were evaluated by colorimetric assays.
Results:
Colloidal silver had dose-dependent cytotoxic effect in MCF-7 breast cancer cells through induction of apoptosis, shown an LD50 (3.5 ng/mL) and LD100 (14 ng/mL) (*P < 0.05), significantly decreased LDH (*P < 0.05) and significantly increased SOD (*P < 0.05) activities. However, the NO production, and Gpx, CAT, and Total antioxidant activities were not affected in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. PBMC were not altered by colloidal silver.
Conclusions:
The present results showed that colloidal silver might be a potential alternative agent for human breast cancer therapy.
Insights
Colloidal silver demonstrated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells, inducing apoptosis. This suggests its potential as an alternative therapy for human breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical research
- Cancer biology
Background:
- Colloidal silver is recognized for its antimicrobial and disinfectant properties.
- Its potential as an antitumor agent remains largely unexplored.
- This study investigates the antitumor effects of colloidal silver on breast cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of colloidal silver on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
- To elucidate the mechanism of cell death induced by colloidal silver.
- To assess the impact of colloidal silver on specific biomarkers related to cell death and oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- MCF-7 cells were exposed to varying concentrations of colloidal silver (1.75–17.5 ng/mL).
- Cell viability was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion method.
- Apoptosis was detected via ELISA and TUNEL assays; biomarker levels (NO, LDH, Gpx, SOD, CAT) were measured using colorimetric assays.
Main Results:
- Colloidal silver exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells, with LD50 at 3.5 ng/mL and LD100 at 14 ng/mL.
- Apoptosis was confirmed as the mechanism of cell death.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels decreased, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased significantly; nitric oxide (NO) and other antioxidant levels remained unaffected.
Conclusions:
- Colloidal silver induces apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
- It exhibits potential as an alternative therapeutic agent for human breast cancer.
- Further research is warranted to explore its clinical applicability.
