Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis in HT-29 Cells by Stimulating Oxidative Stress and Damaging DNA.

Nanoparticles have garnered considerable scientific attention in recent years due to their diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNPs) on the induction of apoptosis in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) cells. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by Fe3O4 MNPs following MTT assay and to determine the optimal dose of 2.5 g/mL for inducing apoptosis in HT-29 cells. In HT-29 cells, Fe3O4 MNPs increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium ion (Ca2+), and DNA damage. Additionally, the Fe3O4 MNPs significantly increased caspase 3 and 9 expression and decreased Bcl-2 expression at the protein and mRNA levels when compared to the control group (P = 0.0001). Fe3O4 MNPs also induced apoptosis in cancer cells by increasing the level of (ROS) and intracellular Ca2+, followed by an increase in caspase 3 and 9 expression and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression and direct DNA damage. Fe3O4 MNPs are an appropriate choice for colon cancer treatment based on their cell toxicity and induction of apoptosis in HT29 cells.