Cytotoxic, Apoptotic Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Indigofera Aspalathoids

Objective: To study the cytotoxic & apoptotic efficacy of synthesized silver nanoparticles from I. aspalathoids against Hep3B cell line. Methods: Hep3B cell line was purchased from American type culture collection (NCCS, Pune). The cells were treated with synthesized silver nanoparticles from I. aspalathoids for 24 & 48 hrs. Cell Viability was evaluated by MTT assay and DNA fragmentation assay. Results: The IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) value of the AgNPs on Hep3B cells was calculated to be194.65ng/ml. The treated cells were compared to the control group with respect to morphology. The mechanism of cell death was studied through ethidium bromide/acridine orange. The live untreated cells had well organized chromatin structures, whereas the treated cells had fragmented or condensed chromatin consisting of apoptotic nuclei. Therefore, the nuclear staining experiment shows that apoptosis started in 48h after addition of AgNPs to the culture medium. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the possible of the use of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles from I. aspalathoids as an effective drug against cancer.