Mahnoosh Fatemi, Fereshte Ghandehari , Danial Salehi, Parastoo Torabian,
Volume 17, Issue 6 (11-2023)
Abstract
Background: Discovering new cytotoxic compounds has received significant attention due to the rise in drug resistance and the adverse effects associated with chemotherapy drugs. In this study, the cytoplasmic extract of Lactobacillus casei was used to produce iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2o3 NPs), and the cytotoxic effects of NPs were investigated on MCF-7 and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells.
Methods: The cytoplasmic extract of L. casei was mixed with 103M iron sulfate solution and incubated for 3 weeks at 37 °C and 5% CO2. The coprecipitation method was used to synthesize chemical Fe2o3 NPs. The synthesis of NPs was studied by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and the cytotoxic effects were evaluated with dilutions (10, 100, and 1000 µg/mL) on MCF-7 and HEK cells.
Results: X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy presented the mean of NPs synthesized by the green method to be about 15 nm and their shape to be spherical, as well as the average of chemically synthesized NPs to be about 20 nm with cubic structure. Chemical and green synthesized NPs only at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL were able to significantly reduce the survival rate of normal HEK-293 cells; chemically synthesized NPs decreased MCF-7 cell survival only at 1000 µg/mL and green synthesis at 100 µg/mL and 1000 µg/mL.
Conclusion: Generating Fe2o3 NPs is biologically safe using the green synthesis method and the cytoplasmic extract of L. casei, which may be a suitable candidate for the treatment of cancer cells.
Esmail Samadian , Arash Golalipour , Mohammadali Vakili , Hasan Mohammed , Azam Rashidbaghan ,
Volume 20, Issue 3 (7-2026)
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women globally, necessitating the exploration of novel therapies with minimal side effects. Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA), a lectin derived from stinging nettle, exhibits antiproliferative properties in various cancers; however, its effects on breast cancer cells remain underexplored. This study evaluates the cytotoxic potential of UDA against MCF-7 breast cancer cells while assessing its impact on normal mammary (MCF-10A) and embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells.
Methods: UDA was purified from Urtica dioica rhizomes by affinity chromatography and confirmed by SDS-PAGE (8.5 - 9.5 kDa) and agglutination assays. MCF-7, MCF-10A, and HEK-293 cells were treated with different concentrations of UDA (7.5 - 480 µg/mL) for 24 and 48 hours. Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assays to measure cell viability.
Results: UDA significantly inhibited MCF-7 proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.01 at 24 hours; P < 0.0001 at 48 hours). At 240 µg/mL (During 48 hours), viability dropped below 50%, while normal HEK-293 cells showed < 30% toxicity. MCF-10A proliferation remained unaffected, even at 480 µg/mL.
Conclusion: UDA selectively targets breast cancer cells (MCF-7) with minimal toxicity to normal cells, positioning it as a promising anticancer candidate. Further studies are needed to elucidate its mechanism of action and apoptosis-inducing potential.
goums.ac.ir
yahoo.com