Investigating the effect of low-intensity ultrasound radiation in the presence of Apigenin-coated gold nanoparticles on the expression of mRNAs affecting the apoptosis of MCF7 breast cancer cells

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells through increasing the production of free radicals caused by the mechanical interactions of ultrasound waves and flavonoid-coated nanoparticles. MCF7 human breast cancer cells were treated with IC50 of Apigenin-coated gold nanoparticles and low-intensity ultrasound radiation in pulsed and continuous radiation modes. Free radicals were measured by a reactive oxygen species assay kit. After applying the treatment protocol, cell survival was measured by the MTT method. The percentage of apoptotic and necrotic cells will be measured through flow cytometry. The real-time PCR method for expressing BAX, BCl-2, and Caspase-3. A mechanical index of 0.31 was chosen for continuous mode ultrasound irradiation to MCF7 cells in laboratory conditions. The results showed that this irradiation in the presence of nanoparticles increases the production of reactive oxygen species in cells. In addition, a significant decrease in survival and the ability to create colonies was observed in continuous mode with nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the increase in the expression of caspase 3 and the BAX/Bcl-2 ratio, along with the flow cytometry results, indicate an increase in the induction of apoptosis in the treatment group. These findings suggest that the combination of ultrasound waves in continuous mode and flavonoid-coated nanoparticles holds promise as a potential therapeutic approach for cancer treatment, specifically in inducing apoptosis in cancer cells through the generation of reactive oxygen species.