Induction of intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway in A549 lung cancer cells using silver nanoparticles from Gossypium hirsutum and evaluation of in vivo toxicity

[Display omitted] •Gossypium hirsutum involved in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticle and this AgNPs are potential in killing lung cancer cells. Further, AgNPs are effective in induction of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle at G2/M Phase.•Activated the apoptosis in human cancer cells by the mitochondria mediated pathways.•AgNPs showed impact on decreased expression of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) and increased expression of pro-apoptotic protein (Bax).•AgNPs is a potent anticancer agent via intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway. In the past decade, the research communities raised wide concerns on using medicinal plants for synthesis of nanomaterials due to its effective biological activity, lower side effects and also eco-friendly manner. Our previous report concentrated on the biomedical efficacy of fine characterized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Gossypium hirsutum (cotton) leaf extract. Further, the current examination is planned to reveal the molecular mechanisms involving for activation of mitochondria-mediated signaling pathway by AgNPs in human lung cancer cells (A549) using various biological endpoints such as apoptotic induction by HOECHST 33342, AO/EtBr and Rhodamine 123 staining, cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry, gene and protein expressions by RT-PCR and immunoblotting respectively. This study was further extended to identify the toxicity of AgNPs using an animal model. Interestingly, we observed that A549 cells treated with AgNPs resulted in G2/M arrest and ultimately leads to induction of apoptosis cell death. Moreover, gene analysis demonstrated that diminished expression of anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) and enhanced expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax) mitochondrial genes. The alterations in the gene pattern may interrupt of mitochondrial membrane potential which facilitates the releasing of cytochrome c (cyt c) into cytosol. The cyt c act as a key molecule for activation of caspases (9 and 3) to initiate intrinsic apoptotic signaling cell death process. The histological analysis proven the application of AgNPs in nanomedicine is quietly harmless and would not cause any discernible stress like swelling and inflammation to the organs of mice. Taken together, this investigation may provide solid evidence for cotton crop mediated AgNPs induced apoptosis cell death pathway and offer a novel approach for cancer therapy.