Nima Hoseinizadeh, Farzaneh Kiarad, Zahra Kiani, Abolfazl Sadeghi, Azadeh Taherpour, Mehdi Shakibaie,
Volume 21, Issue 0 (IN PRESS 2024)
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive brain tumor with limited therapeutic options. This study evaluated the multifunctional anticancer effects of curcumin-synthesized silver nanoparticles (curcumin-AgNPs) on the U-87 glioblastoma cell line. Curcumin-AgNPs were biosynthesized using curcumin as a reducing and stabilizing agent and characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay. The mRNA expression of apoptosis- and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes was quantified by real-time PCR. DLS and TEM analyses revealed curcumin-AgNPs with sizes of 56.27±4.59 nm and 22±3 nm, respectively. Curcumin-AgNPs reduced U-87 MG cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Analysis of apoptosis-related genes showed an increased BAX/BCL2L1 ratio. Additionally, FN1 and VIM were downregulated to 0.48- and 0.60-fold, respectively, indicating inhibitory effects on EMT and the metastatic potential of U-87 MG cells. These findings indicated that curcumin-AgNPs exhibit cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic, and EMT-modulating effects in U-87 MG cells, highlighting their potential as a multifunctional nanoplatform for glioblastoma research. Further studies are required to elucidate their underlying mechanisms.
