Synergistic cytotoxicity of shikonin-silver nanoparticles as an opportunity for lung cancer. - GreenMedInfo Summary

The combined action of shikonin and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for apoptosis in human cancer cells has not been elucidated. Hence, we investigated the synergistic combinatorial effect of shikonin and AgNPs in human lung cancer cells. Shikonin was used as a reducing and capping agent for AgNPs synthesis as a green method avoiding the hazards of chemical methods. Radiolabeling of Shikonin-AgNPs with radioactive iodine forming [I]I-Shikonin-AgNPs was carried out to enable the intracellular tracking of nanoparticles. The antitumor effect of a combined treatment (shikonin-AgNPs) was evaluated using tissue culture assay. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC) of SHK-AgNPs on A549 cells after 24h determined by an MTT assay is 2.4± 0.11μg/mL. As a deduction this study revealed that the combination of shikonin and AgNPs treatment significantly inhibited cell viability and proliferation of A549 cells (human lung carcinoma cell line) with a great potential than the monotherapy.