Biosynthesis and Chemical Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Satureja Rechingeri Jamzad and Their Apoptotic Effects on AGS Gastric Cancer Cells

Since green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is a simple, safe, cost-effective and eco-friendly method, AgNPs appear to be promising anti-cancer agents in the medical field. In this study, the biosynthesis of AgNPs was performed using aqueous extract ofSatureja rechingeriJamzad. Their anti-cancer activity was evaluated on the AGS gastric cancer cell line. The characteristics of the AgNPs were evaluated and approved by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cytotoxic effect of AgNPs on the AGS cell line was evaluated by MTT assay for 24 h. Flow cytometry technique was performed to evaluate apoptosis using AnnexinV-FITC kit as well as cell cycle analysis. The expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes was evaluated using Real-Time PCR. The average size of AgNPs was calculated at 62 +/- 1 nm. The biosynthesized nanoparticles inhibited AGS cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry results confirmed apoptotic cell death. Also biosynthesized AgNPs caused up-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes; caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax and down-regulation of Bcl2 gene and inhibited the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E genes. The cell cycle analysis revealed the cancer cells arrest in the G0/G1 phase. It appears that AgNPs synthesized bySatureja rechingeriJamzad have a high potential for use as an anti-cancer drug for the treatment of gastric cancer.