Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Ganoderma neo-japonicum Imazeki: a Potential Cytotoxic Agent Against Breast Cancer Cells
In this clinical study, published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine in November 2013, researchers used specially prepared silver nanoparticles against breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231).
They found that treatment of the cancer cells with 1 ppm to 10 ppm silver nanoparticles for 24 hours caused “inhibition of cell viability” and “induction of membrane leakage” (i.e., the cancer cells started leaking and could no longer stay alive). The higher the dosage of silver nanoparticles, the greater the effect against the breast cancer cells. According to the researchers, “The results indicate that AgNPs possess cytotoxic effects with apoptotic features.” In other words, the silver caused the cancer cells to self-destruct.
The researchers further wrote, “…the reactive oxygen species generated by AgNPs have a significant role in apoptosis.” In other words, it appears to be the ability of the silver to generate reactive oxygen species inside the cancer cells that ultimately results in cell death. The researchers concluded, “The present findings suggest that AgNPs could contribute to the development of a suitable anticancer drug, which may lead to the development of a novel nanomedicine for the treatment of cancers.”
