Avicenna J Med Biotech

arij002

Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology

2008-2835 2008-4625

Avicenna Research Institute

ajmb70651

Bioactive Silver Nanoparticles Coated with Curcumin Inhibit Angiogenesis through MMP-9 and Cox-2 Down-Regulation

Ramezani Farzin

Tayebe

Nabiuni

Mohammad

18 2 147 156 25 10 2025 2 2 2026

Background: Inhibition of angiogenesis is an attractive approach in cancer therapy. Both curcumin and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have demonstrated anti-angiogenic properties; however, the the poor water solubility of Curcumin and the side effects of AgNPs adversely affect their activity. Methods: In this study, AgNPs coated with curcumin (Cur-AgNPs), was used to improve aqueous-phase solubility of curcumin and decrease the side effects of AgNPs. After-wards, treatment with curcumin enhanced the anti-angiogenic activity of Cur-AgNPs. The nanoparticles were synthesized as both reducing and stabilizing agents. Evaluation of anti-angiogenesis was assessed in vitro using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) and in vivo through the Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay. Da-ta were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Results: Synthesized Cur-AgNPs have an average diameter of 39 nm, with spherical shapes and an absorbance peak at 450 nm in the UV-visible spectrum. Cur-AgNPs showed a negative zeta potential. EDAX and FTIR confirmed the conjugation of cur-cumin with AgNPs. In vitro anti-angiogenesis assays demonstrated that Cur-AgNPs re-duced the viability of HUVECs, an Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) value of 13 µg/ml. DAPI and acridine orange/propidium iodide staining revealed a significant increase in apoptotic cells following treatment with Cur-AgNPs. The expression of Matrix Metallo-proteinase 9 (MMP-9) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was also inhibited in treated cells. In vivo anti-angiogenesis assays using the CAM model showed significant de-crease in the number, length and hemoglobin content of CAM blood vessels. Conclusion: Curcumin conjugated with AgNPs may represent a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic potential of both AgNPs and curcumin. However, further in-vestigations, particularly regarding safety and biocompatibility of Cur-AgNPs, is needed in this field.