BCL-2 Mediated Apoptotic Pathway as Promising Target for Bio- Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles: A Review Article.
Pooria Moulavi1, Hamideh Karbalaeiheidar2, Zahra Asghari Lalami3
1Department of Biology, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
|March 21, 2026
Summary
Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles [Ag-NPs] effectively target cancer cells by modulating apoptosis pathways. These nanoparticles influence key proteins like Bax and P53, offering a promising avenue for novel cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Nanotechnology, particularly metal nanoparticles, is increasingly utilized in medicine for controlled drug delivery.
- Silver nanoparticles [Ag-NPs] possess antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, with biological synthesis methods being particularly promising.
- Biosynthesized Ag-NPs show potential in inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, but their specific interaction with the BCL-2 family pathway requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the existing literature on the apoptotic activity of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles [Ag-NPs] via the BCL-2 pathway.
- To evaluate the mechanistic insights, therapeutic implications, and clinical translation challenges of biosynthesized Ag-NPs in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating the apoptotic effects of biosynthesized Ag-NPs.
- Analysis of how these nanoparticles modulate the expression and activity of key apoptosis-related genes (Bax, P53, Caspases, BCL-2, BCLXL).
Main Results:
- Biosynthesized Ag-NPs, derived from plants, algae, fungi, yeasts, and bacteria, can upregulate pro-apoptotic factors (Bax, P53, Caspases).
- These nanoparticles downregulate anti-apoptotic factors (BCL-2, BCLXL) in various cancer cell types.
- Observed effects span multiple cancer types including breast, cervical, lung, prostate, gastric, hepatic, ovarian, colorectal, and neuroblastoma.
Conclusions:
- Biosynthesized Ag-NPs demonstrate significant potential in modulating the BCL-2-mediated apoptotic pathway in cancer cells.
- These findings highlight the therapeutic implications of nanomedicine for cancer treatment.
- Further research into biosynthesized nanostructures is crucial for advancing nanomedicine and addressing clinical translation challenges.
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