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Eco-Friendly Combat against Prostate Cancer: Green Chemistry Approach Using Biosynthesized Nanoparticles
Awatif Rashed Z Almotairy1,2, Eman Fayad3, Fatimah Hadadi4
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, 30799, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
Oncology Research
|April 3, 2026
Summary
Propolis-functionalized silver nanoparticles show potent antibacterial activity and effectively inhibit prostate cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis. These nanoparticles offer a promising therapeutic platform for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Materials Science
- Oncology
Background:
- Prostate cancer cells develop resistance to conventional therapies.
- Nanomedicine offers targeted drug delivery and reduced toxicity.
- Silver nanoparticles functionalized with propolis (NPP/AgONPs) were synthesized.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate antibacterial efficacy of NPP/AgONPs against uropathogenic E. coli.
- Assess cytotoxic effects of NPP/AgONPs on prostate cancer cells (PC-3).
- Investigate the mechanisms of cell death induced by NPP/AgONPs.
Main Methods:
- Physicochemical characterization of NPP/AgONPs.
- In vitro antibacterial assays against E. coli strains.
- Cytotoxicity assays (CC50, IC50) on HPrEC and PC-3 cells.
- Flow cytometry for cell cycle and apoptosis analysis.
- Quantification of ROS, Caspase 3, and Caspase 8 levels.
Main Results:
- NPP/AgONPs characterized with 22 nm size and crystalline structure.
- Effective antibacterial activity against E. coli.
- Cytotoxicity: CC50 = 262.04 µg/mL (HPrEC), IC50 = 25.34 μg/mL (PC-3).
- Increased apoptosis and ROS generation in treated PC-3 cells.
- Upregulation of Caspase 3 and Caspase 8 observed.
Conclusions:
- Propolis coating enhances nanoparticle biocompatibility.
- NPP/AgONPs induce ROS-mediated apoptosis and cell-cycle disruption in PC-3 cells.
- NPP/AgONPs show potential as a synergistic therapeutic platform for prostate cancer.
