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.