Silver Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis Via -derived Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Colorectal Cancer Cells

To investigate the anticancer mechanisms of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in colorectal cancer. Anticancer effects of AgNPs were determined in colorectal cancer HCT116 cells and xenograft mice using cellular and molecular methods. AgNPs induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses through and led to HCT116 cell apoptosis. Pretreatment with DPI or 4-PBA significantly inhibited mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis, ER stress response, expression and mitochondrial dysfunction in AgNP-treated HCT116 cells. AgNPs also significantly suppressed HCT116 cell-based xenograft tumor growth in nude mice by inducing apoptosis and ER stress responses. AgNPs exert anticancer effects against colorectal cancer via ROS- and ER stress-related mitochondrial apoptosis pathways.