Cytotoxic effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized via seaweed aqueous extract

Abstract

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 MNPs) are among the most useful metal nanoparticles for multiple applications across a broad spectrum in the biomedical field, including the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In previous work, we synthesized and characterized Fe 3 O 4 MNPs using a simple, rapid, safe, efficient, one-step green method involving reduction of ferric chloride solution using brown seaweed ( Sargassum muticum ) aqueous extract containing hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino functional groups mainly relevant to polysaccharides, which acts as a potential stabilizer and metal reductant agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity and cellular effects of these Fe 3 O 4 MNPs. Their in vitro anticancer activity was demonstrated in human cell lines for leukemia (Jurkat cells), breast cancer (MCF-7 cells), cervical cancer (HeLa cells), and liver cancer (HepG2 cells). The cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of Fe 3 O 4 MNPs, and an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was used to test for cytotoxicity, resulting in an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC 50 ) value of 23.83±1.1 μg/mL (HepG2), 18.75±2.1 μg/mL (MCF-7), 12.5±1.7 μg/mL (HeLa), and 6.4±2.3 μg/mL (Jurkat) 72 hours after treatment. Therefore, Jurkat cells were selected for further investigation. The representative dot plots from flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis showed that the percentages of cells in early apoptosis and late apoptosis were increased. Cell cycle analysis showed a significant increase in accumulation of Fe 3 O 4 MNP-treated cells at sub-G1 phase, confirming induction of apoptosis by Fe 3 O 4 MNPs. The Fe 3 O 4 MNPs also activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 in a time-response fashion. The nature of the biosynthesis and therapeutic potential of Fe 3 O 4 MNPs could pave the way for further research on the green synthesis of therapeutic agents, particularly in nanomedicine, to assist in the treatment of cancer.

Green synthesis palladium nanoparticles mediated by white tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em>) extract with antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiproliferative activities toward the human leukemia (MOLT-4) cell line

“…In MOLT-4 cells, treatment with Pd@W.tea NPs significantly increased the activities of caspase-3 and -9 (Table 6). Caspase pathway-mediated apoptosis seems to be the common mode of cell death instituted by NPs; for example, with zerumbone-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers and magnetic iron oxide NPs on Jurkat cells, 51 amine-modified polystyrene NPs on astrocytoma cells, 52 and nickel-zinc ferrite NPs on the HepG2, HT29, and MCF-7 cell lines. 53 …”

Microwave-assisted green synthesis of superparamagnetic nanoparticles using fruit peel extracts: surface engineering, <em>T</em>₂ relaxometry, and photodynamic treatment potential

“…38 SPIONs have already been synthesized via the green route by various investigators. [20][21][22][23][24]39,40 However, use of peel biomass has not been reported for the MW-assisted green synthesis of SPIONs with a narrow size distribution, increased stability, and multifunctionality, crucial for biokinetics and biodistribution in developing theranostics. The scheme of this work is described in Figure 1.…”

“…[16][17][18][19] Consequently, numerous efforts have been focused on refining the properties of metal NPs through modification of their synthesis methods from conventional methods to green ones. Some of these include the use of seaweed, 20 tea, 21,22 as well as peel extracts of plantain, 23 banana, 24 and orange. 25 Although biocompatibility has been achieved in such reports, there is a dire need for the successful surface engineering of such biologically safer NPs to enable a variety of biomedical and other industrial applications.…”

A Review of Current Research into the Biogenic Synthesis of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles via Marine Algae and Seagrasses

“…Subsequent in vitro studies by Namvar et al using the derived Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles evaluated their cytotoxicity, cellular responses, and anticancer activity towards human cell lines for leukemia, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and liver cancer. The in vitro studies found the accumulation of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles in treated cells tended to promote cell apoptosis and confirmed their potential use in the treatment of cancer [143].…”