Chemical characterization and anti-breast cancer effects of silver nanoparticles using Phoenix dactylifera seed ethanolic extract on 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a] anthracene-induced mammary gland carcinogenesis in Sprague Dawley male rats

The aim of the recent research was to investigate the anti-breast cancer effects of silver nanoparticles using Phoenix dactylifera seed ethanolic extract (AgNPs). After preparation of Phoenix dactylifera seed extract, GC/MS was performed to detect the compounds. The findings indicated that 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)- methyl ester (40.95%) and Dodecanoic acid methyl ester (20%) were the most frequent constituents found in P. dactylifera. These nanoparticles were spherical with a size range of 17-19 nm and characterized using various analytical techniques including UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy to determine the presence of AgNPs in the solution. We studied functional groups of P. dactylifera extract in the reduction and capping process of AgNPs by FT-IR, crystallinity and FCC planes by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and surface morphology, shapes, and size of AgNPs by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). DPPH free radical scavenging test was used to test the antioxidant properties of P. dactylifera and AgNPs, which revealed high antioxidant potential similar to butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) as the positive control. The results of cytotoxicity analysis indicated that P. dactylifera and AgNPs were toxic for MCF-7 cells. In vivo design, induction of breast cancer was done by 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a] anthracene (DMBA) in 50 animals. After 10 days, the animals were randomly divided into six subgroups, including healthy control, untreated control, two groups receiving the P. dactylifera at 2 and 6 mg/kg and two groups receiving the AgNPs at 2 and 6 mg/kg concentrations. Both doses of P. dactylifera and AgNPs (especially AgNPs6) significantly (p <= 0.05) reduced the weight and volume of liver, mammary gland, kidney, spleen, ALP, AST, ALT, GGT, cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, total and conjugated bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose, ferrous, ferritin, erythropoietin, GR, IL1, IL6, IL12, IL18, IFNY, and TNF alpha and increased HDL, total protein, albumin, WBC, lymphocyte, neutrophils, platelet, RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, SOD, CAT, GPx, IL4, IL5, IL10, IL13, and IFN alpha compared to the untreated group. Moreover, P. dactylifera and AgNPs (especially AgNPs6) significantly (p <= 0.05) treated breast cancer with reduction of organs free of metastasis compared to the untreated group. Seemingly, the AgNPs can be used for the treatment of breast cancer.