article · Scientific Reports
This research describes the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using an aqueous extract from Rhus coriaria fruit, which acted as both a reducing and capping agent. The biosynthesised nanoparticles were characterised, showing a hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure with an average size of approximately 16.69 nm, and spherical and hexagonal morphologies with an average grain size of 20.51 nm. Elemental composition and the presence of plant compounds on the surface were confirmed. The study found that these ZnO NPs exhibited potent dose-dependent anti-tumour effects against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Mechanistic studies indicated that the nanoparticles induce apoptosis, cause S-phase arrest, and inhibit the cells' ability to form colonies and metastasise by modulating relevant genes.
This study offers an eco-friendly way to create zinc oxide nanoparticles with potential anti-cancer properties. Understanding how these nanoparticles fight breast cancer cells, by inducing cell death and preventing spread, could lead to new therapeutic strategies. This research contributes to the development of safer and more effective cancer treatments.
This early-stage research identifies a potential therapeutic application for green-synthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles in treating breast cancer. The findings suggest these nanoparticles could be developed into novel anti-cancer agents, potentially for pharmaceutical companies or biotechnology firms. The abstract indicates a pathway towards new cancer nanotechnology, but further research and clinical trials would be needed to assess real-world applicability.
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The growing interest in using plant extracts for the biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) stems from their facile, eco-friendly, and biologically safe approach instead of chemical routes. For the first time, ZnO NPs were successfully biosynthesized using Rhus coriaria fruit aqueous extract as a reducing and capping agent. Characterization revealed that the biosynthesized ZnO NPs possessed a maximum absorbance of approximately 359 nm and closely resembled the hexagonal ZnO wurtzite crystalline structure, with an average crystalline size of 16.69 nm. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed the presence of spherical and hexagonal morphologies, with an average grain size of 20.51 ± 3.90 nm. Moreover, the elemental composition of the synthesized ZnO NPs was assessed via energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and the presence of phytocompounds on their surface was subsequently verified through FT-IR analysis. The ζ-potential of ZnO NPs was recorded at - 19.9 ± 0.1663 mV. Regarding anti-cancer properties, ZnO NPs were found to possess potent anti-tumor effects on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Their efficacy was dose-dependent, with IC<sub>50</sub> values ranging from 35.04-44.86 μg/mL for MCF-7 and 55.54-63.71 µg/mL for MDA-MB-231 cells. Mechanistic studies in MDA-MB-231 cells revealed apoptosis induction, validated by DAPI staining, confocal microscopy, and Annexin V/PI staining, showing apoptosis by 12.59% and 81.57% at ½ IC<sub>50</sub> and IC<sub>50</sub> values, respectively. Additionally, ZnO NPs were observed to provoke S-phase arrest and inhibit colony-forming and metastatic potential by modulating apoptosis and metastasis-related genes. This study unravels new insights into how ZnO NPs provoke cancer cell death and inhibit metastasis, revealing new prospects in cancer nanotechnology.
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DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63258-7
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