Research in Medicine

Abstract
Background and Aim: Studies have shown that changes in the expression level of some genes play a role in the development of cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in the expression of apoptotic genes Bax and Bcl-2 in MCF-7 cell line after treatment with selenium nanoparticles containing chamomile extract.
Methods: This study is a practical and experimental intervention. One- way analysis (ANOVA) and t-test was used for statistical analysis. After synthesizing selenium nanoparticles with Anthemis atropatana extract, the correctness of the synthesis was confirmed by SEM, TEM and EDX. To perform MTT and calculate the IC50, the cells (cancer cell line) MCF-7 and (healthy cell line) MCF-10 were treated with selenium nanoparticles for 24 hours. Finally, the changes in Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression were examined.
Results: The results of checking the accuracy of the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles showed that the synthesized nanoparticles were spherical and had a diameter of 33.40 nm. The IC50 concentration was 6 µg/ ml. The results of
real- time PCR showed that after 24-hour treatment with the IC50 concentration of selenium nanoparticles, the expression of apoptotic gene Bax increased significantly by 2.69 ± 0.31-fold (P-value < 0.001) and the expression of anti- apoptotic gene Bcl-2 decreased significantly by 0.21 ± 0.17-fold (P-value < 0.001).
Conclusion: Selenium nanoparticles containing chamomile extract modulated gene expression in a manner that promotes apoptosis, suggesting their potential as therapeutic agents.