Abstract 5916: Investigating the antiproliferative effects of green synthesized silver and gold unfunctionalized nanoparticles on cervical cancer cell lines

Abstract Background: Across the globe cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancers affecting women; however, the burden of CC is greater in Sub-Saharan Africa as it ranks 2nd common cancer and number one cause of deaths. Although cervical cancer can be successfully treated if diagnosed early, many women are diagnosed in advanced stages, rendering current treatments ineffective. Metal nanoparticles which are commonly used in optic imaging of tumours have shown potential as anti-tumour agents when either used alone or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, this study investigated the anti-proliferative potential of Cannabis Sativa synthesized Ag and Au NPs using Me-180 and HeLa human cell lines. Methods: Metallic Ag and Au nanoparticles were synthesized biologically using Cannabis sativa plant. The cell viability was assessed following treatment with Au and Ag NP of 0-200µg/ml in some cases in combination with Hexaxim (DTaP-IPV-HB-Hib) vaccine using alamar blue assayall subsequent assays in combination with. Following treatment, ATP levels, pyruvate kinase activity, effector caspase 3/7 and mitochondrial toxicity were evaluated, to further investigate induction of apoptosis, annexin V staining, Hoechst staining, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis were performed. Through siRNA, P53, MDM2 and RBBP6 genes were silenced, and the amplification of pro-apoptotic and cell cycle genes were assed using qPCR. Results: The Me-180 IC50 values of 24.17 ug/m 28, 35ug/ml and 37.31 ug/ml for AgNP, AuNP and C. Sativa respectively. The IC50 of HeLa were 35.43, 39.02 and 41.45 ug/ml for AgNP, AuNP and C. Sativa respectively. The increased mitochondrial toxicity was consistent with the decrease in ATP levels, pyruvate kinase activity and the decrease in effector caspase 3/7 in NPs treatments. With C. sativa caspase 3/7 activity and ATP levels slightly increased with decreased mitochondrial toxicity. Hoechst staining and DNA fragmentation analysis showed apoptotic bodies in Me-180. In all silenced C. sativa treatments, the expression of P53 remained unchanged with increase expressions of Bax and Bak-1 in Me-180 cell lines whereas in HeLa all were decreased. Conclusion: Me-180 cell lines that expresses wild-type P53 was more sensitive to apoptosis induction by C. sativa. The increased Bax/Bax expression suggest intrinsic pathway of apoptosis supported by decreased ATP and mitochondrial activity. Citation Format: Nrateng Tsotetsi, Lesetja Motadi, Mpho Choene. Investigating the antiproliferative effects of green synthesized silver and gold unfunctionalized nanoparticles on cervical cancer cell lines [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 5916.