<p>Anti-Metastatic Effect of Gold Nanoparticle-Conjugated <em>Maclura tricuspidata</em> Extract on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells</p>

Abstract

Purpose We aimed to study green-synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) from Maclura tricuspidata (MT) root (MTR), stem (MTS), leaf (MTL), and fruit (MTF) extracts and evaluate their anti-metastatic properties in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Maclura tricuspidata belongs to the Moraceae family and is widely used as a traditional medicinal plant given its biological activities. Methods We quantified the phenolic and flavonoid contents, reducing capacity, and antioxidant activity of all four extracts. The facile and optimum synthesis of MT-GNPs was visualized using UV-vis spectra and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Surface morphology, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and fast Fourier transform (FFT) pattern of MT-GNPs were assessed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The crystallized gold pattern of MT-GNPs was evaluated using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The functionalizing ligands of MT-extracts and MT-GNPs were determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The photocatalytic capabilities of MT-GNPs were assessed by measuring the reduction of rhodamine B and methylene blue. Cell viability assay was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 solution. Anti-migratory and anti-invasive effects were assessed using cell migration and invasion assays. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and phospholipase D (PLD) enzymatic activities were measured using gelatin zymography and Amplex Red PLD assay, respectively. Western blotting and luciferase assay were used to detect protein expression. Results All extracts had high phenolic and flavonoid contents and strong antioxidant and reducing capacities. Results from UV-Vis spectra, DLS, HR-TEM, EDS, XRD, and FT-IR showed the successful formation of MT-GNP with surface morphology, crystallinity, reduction capacity, capsulation, and stabilization. MTR-GNPs and MTS-GNPs had better catalytic activities than MTL-GNPs and MTF-GNPs for reduction of methylene blue and rhodamine B. Moreover, MTS-GNPs and MTR-GNPs exhibited the highest anti-migratory and anti-invasive potential and seemed to be more biologically active than the MTS and MTR extracts. Treatment with MT-GNPs decreased the enzymatic activity, translation levels of MMP-9 and PLD1. Our results showed that MTS-GNPs and MTR-GNPs could dramatically reverse transforming growth factor-β-induced vimentin and N-cadherin upregulation and E-cadherin downregulation. Conclusion The application of GNPs as a potential treatment approach for hepatocellular carcinoma can improve therapeutic efficiency.

Biological Application of the Allopathic Characteristics of the Genus Maclura: A Review

“…Park et al [82], determined the antimetastatic properties of M. tricuspidata root, stem, leaf, and fruit extracts with high phenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, showing that these extracts can be used in potential treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma with the possibility of improving therapeutic efficiency. Regarding the antimicrobial activity of M. tricuspidata, its effect on Streptococcus iniae has been studied [83], showing high inhibition and evidencing the role of prenylation of isoflavones from fruit and leaf extracts on its antibacterial activity.…”

Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the complete plastome of Maclura tricuspidata (Moraceae)

“… 2020 ; Lee and Choi 2020 ; Park et al. 2020 ). It is a traditional medicinal plant given its biological activities (Park et al.…”

“…Maclura tricuspidate Carriere is a member of the Moraceae family, mainly distributed in Korea and East Asia (Choi et al 2020; Lee and Choi 2020;Park et al 2020). It is a traditional medicinal plant given its biological activities (Park et al 2020). It was found that M. tricuspidata fruit vinegar had antiinflammatory effect in vitro (Choi et al 2020).…”

“…It is a traditional medicinal plant given its biological activities (Park et al. 2020 ). It was found that M. tricuspidata fruit vinegar had anti-inflammatory effect in vitro (Choi et al.…”