Abstract
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.