Abstract

ROLE OF PECTIN CAPPED SILVER NANOPARTICLES IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED CARCINOMA IN MICE

Baisakhi Moharana*, SP Preetha, S. Selvasubramanian, C. Balachandran

Abstract

The search for novel chemopreventive agents to selectively target the tumour cells with negligible toxicity to the host cells constitute an urgent priority. Co-chemotherapy using nano-products and natural products can be fully exploited to the advantage of the cancer patients. In the present study, the anti-tumour potential of fractionated pectin powder (FPP) capped silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were explored using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) induced mice at two different doses. At the end of the experimental period, parameters including cell viability, haemato-biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, mean survival time (MST) and percentage increase in life span were recorded. FPP capped Ag NPs considerably restored the abnormal parameters to near normal levels with significant increase in cytotoxicity. The positive role of FPP capped Ag NPs in combating carcinogenesis and increasing the life span of animals suggests that the FPP capped Ag nanoparticle is a potential anti-cancer candidate and can also serve as an adjunct to conventional chemotherapy.

Keywords: Fractionated Pectin Powder (FPP), Silver Nanoparticles (Ag NPs), Fractionated pectin powder capped silver nanoparticles (FPP capped Ag NPs), Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC), Anti-tumour potential.