Abstract
Fractionated pectin powder (FPP) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have proven anticancer properties. In this study the role of pectin capped Ag NP's in the expression of different apoptosis related genes in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) mice model were ascertained. Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted for apoptotic genes Bcl-2, Bax and Gal-3 with reference gene as GAPDH. Amplification was performed in a Roche thermal cycler. The cycling conditions were initial PCR activation step for 30 seconds at 95ºC followed by 45 cycles of two step amplification at 95ºC for 5 seconds and 60ºC for 30 seconds of single acquisition for denaturation and extension and final dissociation and annealing at 95ºC for 20 seconds, 65ºC for 60 seconds followed by 95ºC for 1 second of continuous acquisition. At the end of the experiment there were no significant differences among the different experimental groups. Further studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanism by which the pectin capped Ag NP's caused death of the tumour cells.
