Green synthesized-zinc oxide nanoparticles, the strong apoptosis inducer as an exclusive antitumor agent in murine breast tumor model and human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7).

PURPOSE

In the present study, we aimed to synthesize and investigate the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnONPs) on both human and murine breast cancer cell lines and define their untoxic concentrations (IC ) to clarify their apoptotic properties and introduce them as the anticancer agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The in vitro study was initiated by ZnONPs green synthesizing process applying the Cucumis melo inodorus rough shell extract, and verified by the transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. In following, the human (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 [MCF7]) and murine (TUBO) breast cancer cell lines were cultured for taking the time and dose-dependent treatment planes by ZnONPs. Also, MCF7 cell cultures were treated by three different doses of ZnoNPs (8, 4, and 2 µg/mL) separately and prepared for genes expression (Cas-3 and Cas-8) analysis using real-time quantitative PCR method. The in vivo initiated by providing the 39 murine breast cancer models, then they were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of ZnONPs (75, 50, and 25 mg/kg) treatments. Then their collected biopsies were stained by hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate their breast cancer tissue morphology and compare with Tamoxifen anticancer properties.

RESULTS

The in vitro study results demonstrate a significant correlation among the expression of Cas-3 and Cas-8 genes with increasing ZnONPs concentrations. The results of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assays for the treated cancer cell lines (MCF7 and TUBO) detected a significant negative correlation among the ZnONPs concentrations and the viability of the cells.

CONCLUSION

Unlike the majority of resent studies, we found the ZnONPs as a powerful apoptosis inducer in the human cell line (MCF7) and murine (TUBO cell line and cancer model).