Cytotoxic and anticancer activity of a novel synthesized tet-AuNPs simultaneously activates p53 and inhibits NF-kB signaling in SKBR3 cell line

Objective The objective of this study was to synthesize novel gold nanoparticles (Au(0)NPs) that simultaneously activates p53 and inhibits NF-kB signaling in SKBR3 breast cancer cells. Methods The tetracycline-based Au(0)NPs were synthesized by chemical method. These Au(0)NPs were characterized by different authentic techniques. The first characterization technique was UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy to monitor Plasmon absorption maxima at 529 nm. The second technique was X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) pattern to confirm the crystalline nature of the prepared the Au(0)NPs. Finally, the Fourier transformed infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to study the bonding patterns of the prepared the prepared Au(0)NPs with a size range of 10–50 nm. These Au(0)NPs were used as a nanomedicine to treat SKBR3 breast cancer cells using relative gene and protein expression studies. Results In response to Au(0)NPs, the level of caspases (3, 8 and 9) were changed, p53 was activated and NF-κB was inhibited simultaneously. The viability and proliferation of breast cancer cells (SKBR3) were downregulated as compared to the normal breast cells (CRL-4010). In addition, the gene and protein expressions of caspases supported the data. The inverse relationship between p53 and NFκB was found in AuNPs treated breast cancer cells. Conclusions The study laid down a preliminary step to employ newly synthesized AuNPs as a chemotherapeutic agent that stimulated cell death via both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis and inhibited the cell survival via suppressing the NFκB and recommended to have better insight.