Green-Synthesized Nanoparticles Encapsulating Photosensitizers: A Novel Strategy for Enhancing Photodynamic Therapy Efficacy Against Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer continues to pose a significant challenge in oncology, despite notable advancements in treatment strategies. For decades, conventional therapies (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy) have been the primary approaches to managing cancer. This study explores the therapeutic potential of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Dicoma anomala extract against breast cancer. AgNPs were modified with liposomes loaded with ZnPcS₄. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells were assessed, with results analyzed using SPSS (CI = 0.95). The synthesized nanoparticles and nanocomplexes, including AgNPs, AgNPs-Lip, Lip@ZnPcS₄, and AgNPs-Lip@ZnPcS₄, demonstrated significant cytotoxicity and therapeutic efficacy against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Apoptosis was induced through the upregulation of apoptotic proteins, specifically caspase-8 and caspase-9. Notably, caspase-3 was not expressed in MCF-7 cells in both control and experimental groups. Given the challenging prognosis of breast cancer, these findings highlight the potential of liposomal nanoformulations in photodynamic therapy (PDT), warranting further investigation in clinical settings.