Quercetin-loaded silver nanoparticles show anti-proliferative potential in MCF-7 cells: in vitro study and docking analysis

This study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of quercetin (Qu) and quercetin-loaded silver nanoparticles (Qu-AgNPs) on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and compared these effects to doxorubicin (Doxo). We also performed molecular docking of Qu and a modeled Qu-AgNP complex against TNF-α, NF-κB and HSP family proteins. Both Qu and Qu-AgNPs reduced MCF-7 viability (IC50 reported) and decreased mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, NF-κB, HSP27, HSP70 and HSP90. In silico docking predicted that a Qu-AgNP construct could form additional hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts versus Qu alone, yielding modestly improved predicted binding affinities. These results indicate the anti-proliferative potential of Qu and Qu-AgNPs in MCF-7 cells and provide preliminary in silico ADMET and docking data to guide future mechanistic and in vivo studies.