Synthesis of Biogenic Nanoparticles by Fungi and Cancer Applications 2

Abstract

The aim of the present chapter is to analyze the current state of metallic nanoparticles - such as silver, copper/CuO, selenium, zinc oxide, and gold nanoparticles - biogenically produced by fungi for cancer treatment purposes. Metallic nanoparticles biogenically synthesized by fungi were mainly applied in vitro to cell cultures of different cancer types, such as breast, cervical, liver, colon, epithelial, lung esophageal, gastric, and skin cancer. The underlying antitumoral mechanisms of biogenic metallic nanoparticles have been partly elucidated and remain under investigation. Interestingly, one study based on using biogenic metallic nanoparticles (fungi) for cancer treatment purposes was carried out in vivo, and another one focused on investigating their immunomodulatory activity. Experiments conducted in vivo with silver nanoparticles deriving from Fusarium oxysporum were herein addressed in detail. In the case of urological cancer cells, data from 5637 human bladder carcinoma cells have confirmed DNA double-strand break and immediate DNA degradation in carcinoma cells (human bladder). This outcome has indicated cell death due to apoptosis. The same mechanism may have taken place in vivo. The favorable properties of biogenic metallic nanoparticles in vivo and the underlying mechanism unveiled so far, suggest that this approach could be used as an efficient and cost-effective antitumor agent, as well as present minimal systemic toxicity.