Christian Ngabdi

Disruption of EMT Signaling and Migration by Moringa oleifera Leaf Powder-Silver Nanoparticles (MOLP-AgNPs) in HeLa Cervical Cancer Cells

This study aimed to evaluate the potential anticancer effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder-silver nanoparticles (MOLP-AgNPs) by assessing their impact on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and cell migration in HeLa cervical cancer cells. HeLa cells were treated with MOLP-AgNPs at concentrations of 2, 4, and 6 µg/mL, alongside an untreated control group. Cell viability was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion method to determine non-toxic concentrations. A scratch (wound-healing) assay was used to evaluate cell migration, while immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression of EMT-related proteins Snail and vimentin. MOLP-AgNPs significantly inhibited cell migration in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Additionally, the expression of Snail and vimentin was markedly downregulated following treatment, indicating suppression of EMT-related pathways (p < 0.001). These exploratory preclinical findings suggest that MOLP-AgNPs exert anti-migratory effects on cervical cancer cells by modulating EMT. Although HeLa is a non-metastatic cell line, this study highlights the potential of MOLP-AgNPs as a promising candidate for further investigation in metastatic cancer models.

Physicochemical characterization and anticancer potential of Ficus deltoidea-silver nanoparticles (FD-AgNPs) on HeLa cells: Evidence from apoptosis and proliferation assays

Cervical cancer remains a major global health challenge, accounting for more than 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths worldwide in 2022. In this study, silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using Ficus deltoidea leaf extract (FD-AgNPs) were developed and evaluated for their anticancer potential against HeLa cervical cancer cells. Physicochemical characterization confirmed successful nanoparticle formation, with UV-Vis absorption peaks at 420-460 nm, FTIR spectra indicating phytochemical-mediated reduction and capping, and XRD analysis revealing a highly crystalline face-centered cubic structure. TEM imaging showed predominantly spherical nanoparticles with an average crystallite size of 21.01 nm, while zeta potential (-21.8 mV) and DLS (∼75 nm) measurements suggested moderate colloidal stability. Functionally, FD-AgNPs significantly decreased HeLa cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001), exhibiting stronger cytotoxic effects at 5 and 10 μg/mL than cisplatin. Treated cells displayed marked morphological alterations consistent with activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathways, which was further supported by a significant increase in cleaved caspase-3 expression at both concentrations (p < 0.0001). In addition to apoptosis induction, FD-AgNPs effectively suppressed cancer cell proliferation, as evidenced by significant downregulation of pAKT and Ki-67 expression (p < 0.001), indicating interference with AKT-mediated survival and cell cycle signaling. Overall, these findings demonstrate that FD-AgNPs exert potent anticancer effects by simultaneously inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. The integration of green synthesis, detailed physicochemical characterization, and mechanistic biological evaluation underscores the potential of FD-AgNPs as a promising plant-based nanotherapeutic approach for cervical cancer treatment.