Anticancer and antibacterial potentials induced post short-term exposure to electromagnetic field and silver
Aly Fahmy Mohamed1, Mohamed Nasr2, Mohamed E Amer3
1International Center for Training and Advanced Researches (ICTAR-Egypt), Cairo, Egypt.
Background:
Resistance to antibiotics and anticancer therapy is a serious global health threat particularly in immunosuppressed cancer patients. Current study aimed to estimate the antibacterial and anticancer potentials of short-term exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) either in sole or combined form.
Methods:
Antibacterial activity was evaluated via determination of the bacterial viable count reduction percentage following exposure, whereas their ability to induce apoptosis in breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line was detected using annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and cell cycle analysis. Also, oxidative stress potential and molecular profile were investigated.
Results:
ELF-EMF and AgNPs significantly (p < 0.01) reduced K. pneumonia viable count of compared to that of S. aureus in a time dependent manner till reaching 100% inhibition when ELF-EMF was applied in combination to 10 µM/ml AgNPs for 2 h. Apoptosis induction was obvious following exposure to either ELF-EMF or AgNPs, however their apoptotic potential was intensified when applied in combination recording significantly (p < 0.001) induced apoptosis as indicated by elevated level of MCF-7 cells in the Pre G1 phase compared to control. S phase arrest and accumulation of cells in G2/M phase was observed following exposure to AgNPs and EMF, respectively. Up-regulation in the expression level of p53, iNOS and NF-kB genes as well as down-regulation of Bcl-2 and miRNA-125b genes were detected post treatment.
Conclusions:
The antibacterial and anticancer potentials of these agents might be related to their ability to induce oxidative stress, suggesting their potentials as novel candidates for controlling infections and triggering cancer cells towards self-destruction.
Insights
Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) show potent antibacterial and anticancer effects. Combining ELF-EMF and AgNPs enhances bacterial inhibition and induces cancer cell apoptosis, offering novel therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Antibiotic and anticancer resistance poses a significant global health challenge, especially for immunocompromised cancer patients.
- Investigating novel therapeutic modalities is crucial to combat these resistant infections and cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antibacterial and anticancer properties of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).
- To assess the synergistic effects of combined ELF-EMF and AgNPs exposure on bacterial viability and cancer cell apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Antibacterial activity assessed by bacterial viable count reduction percentage.
- Anticancer effects evaluated through apoptosis induction in MCF-7 breast cancer cells using flow cytometry (Annexin V/PI staining, cell cycle analysis).
- Oxidative stress and molecular profiles investigated.
Main Results:
- Combined ELF-EMF and AgNPs achieved 100% inhibition of K. pneumonia within 2 hours.
- Synergistic increase in apoptosis in MCF-7 cells observed, with elevated Pre G1 phase cells.
- Differential cell cycle arrest (S phase for AgNPs, G2/M for ELF-EMF) and modulation of key genes (p53, iNOS, NF-kB, Bcl-2, miRNA-125b) detected.
Conclusions:
- ELF-EMF and AgNPs exhibit significant antibacterial and anticancer potential, likely mediated by induced oxidative stress.
- The combination therapy demonstrates enhanced efficacy, suggesting potential as novel agents for infection control and cancer treatment.
