Monitoring the anti-cancer potential of gold nanoparticles under the influence of electroporation and ultra-low electromagnetic field (ULEMF) frequencies relative to time on colon cancer cell-lines (HCT-116)

Abstract

The use of nanotechnology in cancer therapy is based on the usage of molecules that can affect cancerous cells as well as mitochondrial membrane in order to induce cancer cell programmed death. This method has shown overwhelming effects; hence the target of this project is to evaluate the role of gold nanoparticles’ anti-cancer potential under the effect of electroporation, in addition to the effect of ultra low electromagnetic field (ULEMF) frequencies on HCT 116 colon cancer cell line. It was noticed that this method of using ULEMF displayed a higher potential of anti-cancer activity than the use of gold nanoparticles used single handed (engulfed endocytosis). At the same time cell apoptosis that is accompanied with high percentage of cell arrest in case of treatment with electroporation, gold nanoparticles as well as electromagnetic field of 50 mT for 30 mins showed the best results in comparison with other treatments. Also, it has been signified that the usage of these treatment combinations resulted in a highly elevated gene expression of pro-apoptotic genes (P53, Bax) and down regulation of anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2). It was also noticed that an arrest of cells occurred at the G2/M phase compared to other treatment regimes. Data recorded revealed that the use of gold nanoparticles, electroporation and electromagnetic field in a dose dependent manner can increase apoptosis and necrosis [200v]- [25 mT— 50 mT]. It can be suggested that the use of electromagnetic field as well as, gold nanoparticles and electroporation can be a promising tool for cancer management.