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Background <p>Ovarian cancer remains a major clinical challenge, largely because many patients eventually develop resistance to cisplatin. In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized using <i>Artemisia chamaemelifolia</i> extract through a green chemistry approach, and their antiproliferative activity was evaluated in cisplatin-resistant A2780cp ovarian cancer cells.</p> Methods <p>The aqueous extract of the plant was used as both the reducing and stabilizing agent during nanoparticle formation. The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, and DLS. Cytotoxic effects were assessed using the MTT assay, while apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Changes in the expression of <i>BAX</i>, <i>BCL-2</i>, <i>TP53</i>, and <i>CCND1</i> were assessed by RT-qPCR. HEK293 cells were included as a comparator cell line for cytotoxicity.</p> Results <p>UV–Vis spectroscopy showed a surface plasmon resonance peak near 530&#xa0;nm, confirming nanoparticle formation. FESEM and TEM analyses revealed well-dispersed nanoparticles with predominantly spherical to slightly cubic morphology, an average size of 15.13&#xa0;nm, and a relatively narrow size distribution. The MTT assay demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity, with an IC₅₀ of 38.83&#xa0;µg/mL(95% CI: 31.85 to 47.28) in A2780cp cells and no IC₅₀ reached within the tested concentration range for HEK293 cells (<i>n</i> = 3). Accordingly, the selectivity index (SI) was estimated to be &gt; 5.15, suggesting preferential cytotoxicity toward A2780cp cells. In contrast, cisplatin showed a lower SI of 1.24. Flow cytometry indicated an increase in early apoptotic cells from 16.1 ± 1.2% to 69.2 ± 3.4% (<i>n</i> = 3), accompanied by a reduction in overall viability. RT-qPCR results were consistent with these findings, showing upregulation of <i>BAX</i> and <i>TP53</i> and downregulation of <i>BCL-2</i> and <i>CCND1</i>.</p> Conclusion <p>AuNPs synthesized by this green method exhibited selective cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity against cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells. These findings suggest their potential as a biocompatible candidate in strategies aimed at addressing chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.</p>

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Biosynthesis, characterization, and antiproliferative activity of gold nanoparticles synthesized using Artemisia chamaemelifolia extract against cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月22日

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  • Ali Shirafkan,
  • Mohammad Sadegh Hashemzadeh,
  • Mozafar Mohammadi

摘要

Background

Ovarian cancer remains a major clinical challenge, largely because many patients eventually develop resistance to cisplatin. In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized using Artemisia chamaemelifolia extract through a green chemistry approach, and their antiproliferative activity was evaluated in cisplatin-resistant A2780cp ovarian cancer cells.

Methods

The aqueous extract of the plant was used as both the reducing and stabilizing agent during nanoparticle formation. The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, and DLS. Cytotoxic effects were assessed using the MTT assay, while apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Changes in the expression of BAX, BCL-2, TP53, and CCND1 were assessed by RT-qPCR. HEK293 cells were included as a comparator cell line for cytotoxicity.

Results

UV–Vis spectroscopy showed a surface plasmon resonance peak near 530 nm, confirming nanoparticle formation. FESEM and TEM analyses revealed well-dispersed nanoparticles with predominantly spherical to slightly cubic morphology, an average size of 15.13 nm, and a relatively narrow size distribution. The MTT assay demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity, with an IC₅₀ of 38.83 µg/mL(95% CI: 31.85 to 47.28) in A2780cp cells and no IC₅₀ reached within the tested concentration range for HEK293 cells (n = 3). Accordingly, the selectivity index (SI) was estimated to be > 5.15, suggesting preferential cytotoxicity toward A2780cp cells. In contrast, cisplatin showed a lower SI of 1.24. Flow cytometry indicated an increase in early apoptotic cells from 16.1 ± 1.2% to 69.2 ± 3.4% (n = 3), accompanied by a reduction in overall viability. RT-qPCR results were consistent with these findings, showing upregulation of BAX and TP53 and downregulation of BCL-2 and CCND1.

Conclusion

AuNPs synthesized by this green method exhibited selective cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity against cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells. These findings suggest their potential as a biocompatible candidate in strategies aimed at addressing chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.