Green Synthesis of Allium schoenoprasum Extract-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Regulating Apoptotic/Metastatic Gene Expression in HT-۲۹ Colon Cancer Cells

Background: Allium schoenoprasum (chives) has anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-metastatic properties. However, its poor water solubility limits its therapeutic potential. Magnetic nanoparticles, particularly Fe۳O۴ MNPs, have emerged as highly versatile platforms in cancer research due to their unique physicochemical and magnetic properties. Objectives: This study aimed to synthesize green-synthesized magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with Allium schoenoprasum extract and evaluate their therapeutic potential by investigating their effects on the expression of key apoptotic and metastatic genes in human colorectal cancer HT-۲۹ cells. Methods: MNPs-As were synthesized via a green approach and characterized using standard techniques including FTIR, TGA, VSM and FE-SEM. Cytotoxicity effect was assessed using MTT assay. The expression levels of crucial genes, including the tumor suppressor pro-apoptotic BAX, P۵۳, CASP۸, and metastasis-related MMP-۲ and MMP-۹, were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: Allium schoenoprasum extract@Fe۳O۴ MNP exhibited a spherical and uniform morphology, with an average size of ۳۰ nm and demonstrated thermal stability up to approximately ۲۶۰°C. IC₅₀ value of Allium schoenoprasum extract@Fe۳O۴ MNP on HT-۲۹ cells were ۹۶.۹۵ µg/mL, ۷۸.۱۷ µg/mL, and ۷۴.۸۷ µg/mL at ۲۴, ۴۸, and ۷۲ h, respectively. Crucially, Allium schoenoprasum extract@Fe۳O۴ MNP treatment led to a significant upregulation of BAX, P۵۳, and CASP۸ gene expression, while concurrently downregulating the expression of MMP-۲ and MMP-۹. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that green-synthesized Allium schoenoprasum-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles represent a promising novel therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer. By modulating key apoptotic and metastatic pathways, Allium schoenoprasum extract@Fe۳O۴ MNP hold potential for developing more effective and targeted treatments against CRC.

کلیدواژه ها:

Allium schoenoprasum ، Cytotoxicity ، Magnetic Nanoparticles ، Green Synthesis ، Colorectal Cancer.