Apoptotic effects of silver nanoparticles coated with Zataria multiflora leaves extract on HepG2 cell line

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have antibacterial, anti-angiogenesis and anticancer activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the apoptotic effects of AgNPs coated with Zataria multiflora leaves extract on HepG2 liver cancer cells. Materials and Methods: HepG2 cancer cell lines were treated with different concentrations of AgNPs for 24 and 48 hours. The viability of the cells and inhibitory concentration (IC50) were determined by the methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay. To evaluate the ability of AgNPs to induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells, the 4′,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI), acridine orange-propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry analysis for annexin V- propidium iodide were used. Results: The results of the MTT assay showed that AgNPs decreased the proliferation of HepG2 cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. The IC50 during the incubation times of 24 and 48 hours were determined 40 and 30 μg/mL, respectively (P<0.05). The results of DAPI staining showed that AgNPs can lead to break down of nuclear DNA. Moreover, the acridine orange-propidium iodide staining and annexin V-propidium iodide showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells was increased in the treated cells. Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles covered with Z. multiflora leaf extract have the ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells HepG2 and they can be considered as a promising strategy for the treatment of liver cancer.