Synergistic induction of apoptosis in cancer cells by combined silver nanoparticles and paclitaxel

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

2 School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

10.22038/ijbms.2026.90764.19567

Abstract

Objective(s): Even with treatment, cervical cancer continues to be rampant among females and has the highest mortality. Carrier system therapies, which combine cancer drugs with nanoparticles, are purported to arrest tumor growth and minimize the side effects of cancer drugs. We envisioned paclitaxel-loaded silver nanoparticles (PTX-AgNPs) as an appropriate carrier for targeting cancer cells. Hence, we studied the effects of paclitaxel (PTX) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as an adjunct therapy in the management of cervical cancer.
Materials and Methods: Anti-cancer activity with PTX alone or in combination with AgNPs was assessed by MTT assay and real-time PCR. The mechanism underlying the antiproliferative effects was investigated by measuring the expression of apoptotic markers (Bax, Caspase-3, Bak) and anti-apoptotic markers (Bcl-2, Mcl-1) by RT-PCR. 
Results: PTX and silver nanoparticles alone induced apoptosis; however, at lower doses, they showed synergism, with an inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50). Real-time PCR showed that the combination treatment, PTX and AgNPs, significantly increased the mRNA expression of the Bax, Bak, and Caspase-3 genes in the HeLa cell line compared with mono-treatment (P<0.05). Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 mRNA levels were also decreased in all treated groups as compared to control cells. 
Conclusion: We showed that silver nanoparticles have a synergistic effect with PTX and were able to give favorable results (higher cell death in the combined group) at lower concentrations of PTX.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 24 February 2026

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