Gold nanoparticles induce apoptosis in HCT-116 colon cancer cell line.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the apoptotic and anti-cancer effect of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on apoptosis in HCT-116 colon cancer cells.

Materials And Methods: The level of ROS and apoptosis were determined by fluorimetric method and flow cytometry and Hoechst 33,258 staining, respectively. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of Bax, Bcl-2, CCNB1, P53 genes was evaluated by qRT-PCR method in HCT116 cells.

Results: The experimental results of this study showed that treatment with nanoparticles led to a significant increase in expression of Bax, P53 genes and a significant decrease in the expression of Bcl-2, CCNB1 genes at concentrations of 25 and 50 µg/ml during 48 h of incubation, compared to control cells (p < 0.05). The flow cytometric results (Annexin-pI) and Hoechst 33,258 staining also showed a significant increase in the level of apoptosis in the treated cells, depending on the concentration and time.

Conclusions: The results of this study showed that AuNPs cause apoptosis at the half-maximal inhibitory concentration in the HCT-116 tumor cells during 48 h of incubation.