Cytotoxic Potential of Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized From Swertia chirayita Leaf Extract on Colorectal Cancer Cells

Abstract

Chemotherapy side effects, medication resistance, and tumor metastasis impede the advancement of cancer treatments, resulting in a poor prognosis for cancer patients. In the last decade, nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a promising drug delivery system. Swertia chirayita has long been used as a treatment option to treat a variety of ailments. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized from ethanolic and methanolic extract of S. chirayita leaves. ZnO-NPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron Microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Its anti-cancer activities were analyzed using cytotoxicity assays [MTT assay and acridine orange (AO) staining] and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) using colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (HCT-116 and Caco-2) and control cells (HEK-293). The ZnO-NPs synthesized from the ethanolic extract of S. chirayita have an average size of 24.67 nm, whereas those from methanolic extract have an average size of 22.95 nm with a spherical shape. MTT assay showed NPs’ cytotoxic potential on cancer cells (HCT-116 and Caco-2) when compared to control cells (HEK-293). The IC50 values of ethanolic and methanolic extract ZnO-NPs for HCT-116, Caco-2, and HEK-293 were 34.356 ± 2.71 and 32.856 ± 2.99 μg/ml, 52.15 ± 8.23 and 63.1 ± 12.09 μg/ml, and 582.84 ± 5.26 and 615.35 ± 4.74 μg/ml, respectively. Acridine orange staining confirmed the ability of ZnO-NPs to induce apoptosis. qRT-PCR analysis revealed significantly enhanced expression of E-cadherin whereas a reduced expression of vimentin and CDK-1. Altogether, these results suggested anti-cancer properties of synthesized ZnO-NPs in CRC.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Sea Lavender (Limonium pruinosum L. Chaz.) extract: characterization, evaluation of anti-skin cancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials

“…Among nanometal oxides, ZnO NPs are known for their antimicrobial 17 , anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity 12 , 18 , 19 . They are also used in sunscreens due to their characteristic ultraviolet ray scattering properties 20 , 21 , drug delivery 22 , 23 , and wound-healing applications 24 , 25 .…”

“…The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identifies ZnO as a so-called GRAS (= generally recognized as safe) substance 26 . Several studies have demonstrated approaches for the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using different plant extracts 17 , 19 , 27 , 28 . However, the sea lavender plant, Limonium pruinosum (L.) Chaz., has not been reportedly used for ZnO NPs Synthesis.…”

Solanum Procumbens‐Derived Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Suppress Lung Cancer In Vitro through Elevation of ROS

“…Especially, the potential of anticancer activity of ZnONPs has been thoroughly investigated. ZnONPs nanoparticles have been established as an anticancer drug [19][20][21] because of their selective killing efficiency on proliferating cell lines [4,22,23]. Solanum procumbens has been extensively used in folk medicine in South East Asian countries.…”

Composite Coating for the Food Industry Based on Fluoroplast and ZnO-NPs: Physical and Chemical Properties, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity, Cytotoxicity

“…The use of biodegradable polymers such as PLA, PLGA, and PCL also made it possible to reduce the effect on cell growth and development in vitro [ 57 , 86 , 88 ]. It is interesting to note that many studies have shown significant toxicity for cancer cells, while for normal cells, the degree of effect was low [ 89 , 90 ]. In general, the results of our cytotoxic studies are consistent with the reported results; the effect on cell growth and development is comparable to the use of other biocompatible materials [ 57 ].…”