Satureja Khuzestanica Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Its Evaluation of Antineoplastic Activity to Combat Colorectal Cancer Cell Line

Several formulations of herbal plants have been extensively applied to treat diseases. Satureja khuzistanica (S. khuzistanica) is an Iranian traditional plant with a wide range of benefit effects on different diseases. In this study, we aimed to prepare silver nanoparticles from S. khuzistanica via the green synthesis method and investigate the anti-cancer effects on the HT29 cell line. To synthesize Ag-S. Khuzistanica, 50 mL S. khuzistanica extract and 1 mM AgNO3 were mixed and shaken at room temperature for 72 h. To determine the Ag-S. Khuzistanica nanoparticle characterization, XRD, FTIR, and TEM methods were done. In addition, MTT assay and real time PCR and annexin V/PI staining were performed to investigate the cytotoxicity, bcl-2 and bax gene expression and percentage of apoptotic cells. Our findings showed that Ag-S. khuzistanica is a spherical crystalline nanoparticle with the size less than 100 nm. MTT analysis showed that 375, 750, 1500 and 3000 µg/mL Ag-S. Khuzistanica significantly decreased the cell viability of HT29 cells. Ag-S. khuzistanica significantly reduced bcl-2 and increased apoptotic index expression at 375, 750, 1500, 3000 µg/mL Ag-S. Khuzistanica in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, cell staining with Annexin V/PI showed that treating Ag-S. Khuzistanica led to increasing in apoptotic cells. In conclusion, the formulation of Ag-S. khuzistanica has the apoptotic properties on the colorectal cancer cell line.