Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Caffeine-Boosted Silver Nanoparticles Target Breast Cancer Cells by Triggering Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptotic Pathways.

Journal of pharmaceutical sciences
April 23, 2025
Naief Dahran et al. (11 authors)
Journal ArticleAnimal StudyMolecular Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether caffeine-conjugated silver nanoparticles (Caf-AgNPs) could enhance anticancer effects against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells while reducing cytotoxicity in normal cells.

Results Summary

Caf-AgNPs demonstrated significant pro-apoptotic effects in breast cancer cells through oxidative stress, inflammatory modulation, and mitochondrial apoptosis, while showing reduced toxicity in normal cells. The study did not address long-term human safety or clinical applicability.

Population

MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line and normal mouse liver (NBL) cells (in vitro study).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (17)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
caffeine-conjugated silver nanoparticles (Caf-AgNPs)
increase
therapeutic efficacy against breast cancer cell lines
MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells
-
substantially improved
#1
caffeine-conjugated silver nanoparticles (Caf-AgNPs)
decrease
cytotoxicity
normal mouse liver (NBL) cells
-
attenuated
#2
Caf-AgNPs
increase
ROS level
BC cells
-
significantly increased
#3
Caf-AgNPs
increase
malondialdehyde level
BC cells
-
significantly increased
#4
Caf-AgNPs
increase
COX-2 level
BC cells
-
significantly increased
#5
Caf-AgNPs
increase
IL-1β level
BC cells
-
significantly increased
#6
Caf-AgNPs
increase
TNF-α level
BC cells
-
significantly increased
#7
Caf-AgNPs
decrease
glutathione levels
BC cells
-
decrease
#8
Caf-AgNPs
increase
levels of cytosolic cytochrome c
MDA-MB-231 cells
-
increased
#9
Caf-AgNPs
increase
levels of caspase-3
MDA-MB-231 cells
-
increased
#10
Caf-AgNPs
increase
levels of Bax proteins
MDA-MB-231 cells
-
increased
#11
Caf-AgNPs
decrease
Bcl-2 expression
MDA-MB-231 cells
-
significant decrease
#12
Caf-AgNPs
decrease
Bcl-2/Bax ratio
MDA-MB-231 cells
-
significant decrease
#13
Caf-AgNPs
increase
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) membrane leakage
Cancer cells
-
demonstrated elevated
#14
Caf-AgNPs
increase
early and late stage apoptosis
cancer cells
-
substantial proportion of
#15
Caf-AgNPs
decrease
cyclin D1 mRNA expression
cancer cells
-
notable downregulation
#16
Caf-AgNPs
decrease
cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) mRNA expression
cancer cells
-
notable downregulation
#17
Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) constitutes a major global health concern and is the second foremost cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. This research investigated the anticancer effectiveness of caffeine-conjugated silver nanoparticles (Caf-AgNPs) against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, utilizing fluorouracil (5-FU) as a reference antitumor drug. The study illustrated that the strategic conjugation of caffeine with AgNPs substantially improved the therapeutic efficacy against breast cancer cell lines and simultaneously attenuated cytotoxicity in normal mouse liver (NBL) cells. Caf-AgNPs significantly increased ROS, malondialdehyde, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α level in BC cells, which was accompanied by a decrease in glutathione levels. The increased levels of cytosolic cytochrome c, caspase-3, and Bax proteins, as well as a significant decrease in Bcl-2 expression and Bcl-2/Bax ratio, were indicative of the significant pro-apoptotic effects of Caf-AgNPs in MDA-MB-231 cells. Cancer cells subjected to Caf-AgNPs demonstrated elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) membrane leakage, signifying cellular membrane disruption. Cell cycle analysis revealed a substantial proportion of early and late stage apoptosis in cancer cells exposed to Caf-AgNPs, accompanied by a notable downregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) mRNA expression. Caf-AgNPs utilize several mechanisms for cellular destruction, including cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress induction, modulation of the inflammatory response, and mitochondrial apoptosis. Caf-AgNPs offer a promising and complex strategy for breast cancer intervention.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy80/10
Quality70/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.20
Normalized Score0.66
Related Supplements
Caffeine-Boosted Silver Nanoparticles Target Breast Cancer C... | Panacea Index