Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-cancer effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs, of 8-16 nm size range) biosynthesized from Turbinaria turbinata marine-alga against Ehrlich Cell Carcinoma (ECC) in mice. Materials and Methods: After 1 day of s/c Ehrlich cells inoculation in mice thigh, AgNPs were injected in the same site at doses of 85 and 42.5 mu g for each mouse daily for 20 days. Till the end of the experiment, none of clinical signs were observed on mice. Results: The AgNPs induced dose-dependent reduction in tumor size. The cytotoxic insult of AgNPs against ECC referred to its potential oxidative damage effect proved by elevation of MDA and H2O2 contents in tumor tissue and induction of apoptosis via caspase 3 activation. Also, AgNPs brought the elevated white blood cell count in tumor-bearing mice to near-normal range. The histopathological investigation of tumor tissues revealed presence of severe necrosis of cancer cells especially at higher dose of AgNPs. Conclusion: Biosynthesized AgNPs from Turbinaria turbinata could control the growth of ECC in mice with limited adverse effects.