Light Tailoring: Impact of UV-C Irradiation on Biosynthesis, Physiognomies, and Clinical Activities of Morus macroura-Mediated Monometallic (Ag and ZnO) and Bimetallic (Ag–ZnO) Nanoparticles

Abstract

A nano-revolution based on the green synthesis of nanomaterials could affect all areas of human life, and nanotechnology represents a propitious platform for various biomedical applications. During the synthesis of nanoparticles, various factors can control their physiognomies and clinical activities. Light is one of the major physical factors that can play an important role in tuning/refining the properties of nanoparticles. In this study, biocompatible monometallic (AgNPs and ZnONPs) and bimetallic Ag–ZnONPs (0.1/0.1 and 0.1/0.5) were synthesized under UV-C light irradiation from the leaf extract of Morus macroura, which possesses enriched TPC (4.238 ± 0.26 mg GAE/g DW) and TFC (1.073 ± 0.18 mg QE/g DW), as well as strong FRSA (82.39%). These green synthesized NPs were evaluated for their anti-diabetic, anti-glycation, and biocompatibility activities. Furthermore, their anti-cancerous activity against HepG2 cell lines was assessed in terms of cell viability, production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptotic caspase-3/7 expression and activity. Synthesized NPs were characterized by techniques including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, SEM, EDX, FTIR, and XRD. UV-C mediated monometallic and bimetallic NPs showed well-defined characteristic shapes with a more disperse particle distribution, definite crystalline structures, and reduced sizes as compared to their respective controls. In the case of clinical activities, the highest anti-diabetic activity (67.77 ± 3.29% against α-amylase and 35.83 ± 2.40% against α-glucosidase) and anti-glycation activity (37.68 ± 3.34% against pentosidine-like AGEs and 67.87 ± 2.99% against vesperlysine-like AGEs) was shown by UV-C mediated AgNPs. The highest biocompatibility (IC50 = 14.23 ± 1.68 µg/mL against brine shrimp and 2.48 ± 0.32% hemolysis of human red blood cells) was shown by UV-C mediated ZnONPs. In the case of anti-cancerous activities, the lowest viability (23.45 ± 1.40%) with enhanced ROS/NOS production led to a significant disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and greater caspase-3/7 gene expression and activity by UV-C mediated bimetallic Ag–ZnONPs (0.1/0.5). The present work highlights the positive effects of UV-C light on physico-chemical physiognomies as well as the clinical activities of NPs.

Plant-Based Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles: Production, Characterization and Applications

“…Nanomedicine is the use of nanotechnology in the treatment, screening, and diagnosis of a variety of diseases, including cancer [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 47 ]. It adds complete procedures and effective approaches against cancer through cancer prediction and diagnostics, prevention and medication, as well as possible individualized therapy [ 10 , 12 ].…”

“…Similarly, green AuNPs produced from a Trachyspermum ammi seed extract inhibited cellular growth in HepG2 cancer cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner, which was linked to a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-driven apoptosis [ 37 ]. This mechanism has recently been reported to be potentially connected to mitochondrial action via ROS-induced Caspase-3 gene expression and enzyme activity following mitochondrial membrane potential disruption caused by plant-based NPs [ 11 , 47 ].…”

Green synthesis of biocompatible core–shell (Au–Ag) and hybrid (Au–ZnO and Ag–ZnO) bimetallic nanoparticles and evaluation of their potential antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiglycation and anticancer activities

“…Previously, peaks at 355 nm and 450 nm were observed for bimetallic ZnO-AgNPs from UV-visible spectroscopy. 39 Moreover, two characteristic SPR band between 400-480 nm and 350 and 380 nm were reported for bimetallic Ag-ZnONPs by Anjum et al 40 when synthesized from Morus macroura leaf extract.…”

“…Artocarpus heterophyllus extract prepared Ag-Au NPs showed LC 50 value < 1000 mg mL À1 making them non-toxic. 74 Previously Anjum et al 40 also demonstrated moderately toxic nature of Morus macroura mediated Ag-ZnO BNPs as well as their monometallic counterparts towards brine shrimps. These ndings show a hidden efficacy of green synthesized bimetallic NPs for applications like antioxidant, anti-cancerous and antimicrobial.…”

Light-emitting diode (LED)-directed green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and evaluation of their multifaceted clinical and biological activities

“…The activation of the caspase cascade via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway involves caspases 3 and 7, which are executioner caspases. 77 78 The increase in the level of effector caspase-3 activity was two-fold higher in MCF-7 breast cancer cells when treated with spherical-shaped green-synthesized AgNPs (10-60 nm) compared to the control. 79 AgNPs mediate cytotoxicity by effectively activating the caspase cascade and induce apoptosis in various cancer cells.…”