Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activity of Red Sea Seaweeds Extracts-Mediated Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is emerging as a better alternative to traditional chemical-based techniques. During this study, extracts of different marine algae species Ulva rigida (green algae), Cystoseira myrica (brown Algae), and Gracilaria foliifera (red Algae) were utilized as reducing and capping agents to synthesize AuNPs. AuNPs capped by U. rigida, C. myrica, and G. foliifera were confirmed by the appearance of surface plasmonic bands at 528, 540, and 543 nm, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy revealed mostly spherical shapes of AuNPs having a size of about 9 nm, 11 nm, and 13 nm for C. myrica, and G. foliifera extracts, respectively. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) illustrated the major chemical constituents of U. rigida, C. myrica, and G. foliifera. LC50 values of the biosynthesized AuNPs against Artemia salina nauplii were calculated at a range of concentrations (5-188 μg ml−1) after 16 to 24h. AuNPs concentration-dependent lethality was noted and U. rigida extracts-mediated AuNPs presented the lowest cytotoxicity. The biosynthesized AuNPs exhibited significant anticancer activity (86.83%) against MCF-7 cell lines (human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines) at 188 µg/ml concentration. G. foliifera demonstrated the highest anticancer value (92.13%) followed by C. myrica (89.82%), and U. rigida (86.83%), respectively. The AuNPs synthesized by different algal extracts showed variable antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogenic microorganisms. AuNPs of U. rigida extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity against dermatophytic fungi Trichosporon cataneum (30 mm) followed by Trichophyton mantigrophytes (25 mm). Furthermore, it also exhibited mild activity against Escherichia coli (17 mm), Cryptococcus neoformans (15 mm), Candida albicans (13 mm), and Staphylococcus aureus (11mm), respectively whereas no effects were observed against Bacillus cereus. To conclude, AuNPs can be effectively synthesized by marine algal species, and particularly U. rigida extracts could be effective reducing agents for the green AuNPs synthesis. These AuNPs could potentially serve as efficient alternative anticancer agents against human breast adenocarcinoma and anti-dermatophytes associated with skin infections.

In vitro assessment of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and schistolarvicidal activity of macroalgae-based gold nanoparticles

“…FT-IR spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites with different functional groups such as hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, possibly aromatic alcohols and amines in the ethanolic extracts of studied macroalgal species, which possibly perform the reduction, capping, and stabilizing of Au-NPs. This result agreed with Algotiml et al (2022) who reported that the aromatics, amines, or alkanes that exist in the chemical structures of macroalgae could be used as reducing and stabilizing agents for Au-NP biosynthesis. Tao (2018) also reported that proteins might be mainly responsible for capping and stabilizing Au-NPs in the medium, owing to the carbonyl group of amino acids and peptides.…”

“…Roy et al (2019) proved the high antifungal effects of Au-NPs, and their study indicated that the main factors determining fungicidal activity are the size, shape, and concentration of Au-NPs. Algotiml et al (2022) reported strong antifungal activity against dermatophyte fungi and moderate effects against pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria of Au-NPs synthesized from three seaweeds Ulva rigida, C. myrica, and G. foliifera.…”

Padina boergesenii mediated synthesis of Se-ZnO bimetallic nanoparticles for effective anticancer activity

“…Tamil Nadu, Rameswaram, India ( Algotiml et al, 2022 ). The samples were transported in polythene bags and cleaned with fresh water, removing the impurities.…”

“…The samples were transported in polythene bags and cleaned with fresh water, removing the impurities. The samples were then cleaned with a brush, as described by Algotiml et al (2022) and Thanigaivel et al (2019) . To remove the epiphytes and dust, distilled water was used.…”

A comprehensive review on biogenically synthesized inorganic nanoparticles and their applications in anticancer activities

“…The resultant AuNPs were sized between 10.07-19.72 nm. The study of Algotiml et al exploited the potential of Red Sea Seaweeds-extracted gold NPs and their antibacterial and anticancer activities [190]. They used the Ulva rigida, Cystoseira myrica, and Gracilaria foliifera as capping and reducing agents for the synthesis of gold NPs.…”