Cytotoxicity of Bio-Synthesized MgFe2O4@Ag Nanocomposite on Gastric Cancer Cell Line and Evaluation Its Effect on Bax, p53 and Bcl-2 Genes Expression

Gastric cancer is a major human health threat and finding novel and effective anticancer compounds against it is crucially important. Silver nanoparticles (NPs) have promising anticancer potential with minimal side effects. Functionalization of Ag NPs with magnetic compounds could provide novel features, including targeted drug delivery and photothermal therapy. In this work, green synthesis and characterization of MgFe2O4@Ag nanocomposite were performed. The anticancer potential of the nanocomposite against adenocarcinoma gastric (AGS) cells was investigated using MTT, flow cytometry, Hoechst staining, and caspase-3 activation assays. Also, the relative expression of the Bax and Bcl-2 genes in nanocomposite treated cells was investigated. Proper synthesis and crystallinity of the MgFe2O4@Ag NPs were confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy indicated the spherical shape of the NPs with the size range of 23–53 nm. Lack of elemental impurities and good stability of the NPs was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping and measuring zeta potential (− 35.5 mv), respectively. The MgFe2O4@Ag NPs showed a significantly higher antiproliferative potential against AGS cells (IC50 = 43 µg/mL), than human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) cells (IC50 = 158 µg/mL). Moreover, flow cytometry and Hoechst staining confirmed apoptosis induction in treated AGS cells. Also, the activity of the caspase-3 protein and expression of the Bax gene among MgFe2O4@Ag treated cells was significantly increased to 1.8 and 1.21 folds, respectively, while the Bcl-2 gene was down-regulated to 0.68 folds. This study revealed the promising anticancer potential of MgFe2O4@Ag NPs to be used for gastric cancer treatment after further characterization using in-vitro and in-vivo assays.