In Vitro Evaluation of the Antineoplastic Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized with Bioactive Molecules Against SK-MEL-30, MCF-7, and H1299 Cancer Cells

Year 2025, Volume: 17 Issue: 3, 590 - 603, 30.11.2025

Esra Bozkaya

https://doi.org/10.29137/ijerad.1674277

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antineoplastic activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using Centella asiatica (CA) leaf extract against human SK-MEL-30 skin cancer, MCF-7 breast cancer, and H1299 lung cancer cell lines. CA/AgNPs were synthesized via a green chemistry approach and characterized by standard physicochemical techniques. The anticancer potential of the synthesized nanoparticles was assessed using MTT assays, along with apoptotic and necrotic index evaluations. Results indicated a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability in all cancer cell lines, while minimal cytotoxicity was observed in normal L929 fibroblast cells. Notably, CA and CA/AgNPs induced apoptosis and necrosis selectively in cancer cells, suggesting that both formulations possess strong antitumoral effects. The apoptotic indices were especially high in H1299 lung cancer cells treated with CA extract, whereas necrosis was most pronounced in SK-MEL-30 cells at higher concentrations. Taken together, these findings support the antineoplastic, anticancer, and cytotoxic potential of CA/AgNPs, highlighting their promise as biocompatible agents for targeted cancer therapies. Further in vivo studies are recommended to validate these effects.

Keywords

Antineoplastic activity , silver nanoparticle , Centella asiatica , anticancer activity , apoptosis induction , green synthesis

Thanks

The author is grateful to Kırıkkale University and Kırıkkale University Scientific and Technological Researches Application and Research Center (KUBTUAM) for their support.

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