Biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Commiphora wightii and their cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)

doi:10.1016/j.procbio.2020.01.019

Process Biochemistry

Volume 92, May 2020, Pages 269-276

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2020.01.019 Get rights and content

Highlights

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Eco-friendly and simple biosynthesis of Cw@AuNPs using Commiphora wightii leaf extract.
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Characterization by spectroscopic and microscopic studies.
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Cw@AuNPs exhibit remarkable cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells by causing apoptotic cell death.

Abstract

The current study aimed at developing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using the aqueous extract of the medicinal plant Commiphora wightii. The phytosynthesized gold nanoparticles (Cw@AuNPs) were evaluated for their anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell model. The formation of AuNPs by Commiphora wightii leaf extract was confirmed by UV–vis spectra where their surface plasmon resonance was found at 533 nm. Further characterization of Cw@AuNPs was done by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. In vitro anticancer potential of thus obtained AuNPs was evaluated against MCF-7 and where the IC₅₀ was found to be 66.11 μg/mL Further, apoptotic studies were carried out using ethidium bromide dual staining, DNA fragmentation, comet assay, and flow cytometry studies. Results revealed that Cw@AuNPs at higher concentration significantly increased the apoptotic cells when compared to control cells. Cell cycle analysis of MCF-7 cells confirmed the cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. These results demonstrate that the biosynthesized Cw@AuNPs appear to be promising for therapeutical applications against breast cancer.

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Nanotechnology is a burgeoning field of research which plays a central role in the development of effective carrier systems for site-specific drug delivery [[1], [2], [3]]. Green nanoparticles comprising metals such as gold, silver, copper, titanium, platinum, zinc, and iron prepared from diverse biological agents are known [[3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17]]. Among those, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have found vast applications due to their remarkable Plasmon resonance optical parameters [[18], [19], [20]]. Chemical and physical methods used for the preparation of AuNPs are associated with biological hazards and environmental toxicity [21]. Unlike these methods, biologically synthesized nanoparticles are considered eco-friendly, safe and non-toxic [22]. Use of extracts from medicinal plants for the synthesis of nanoparticles is recognized as a simple eco-friendly method against the chemical methods. Such biosynthesized nanoparticles display great potentials in various applications, including therapeutic and other medical uses [23,24]. More importantly, plant-based AuNPs are proven to be biocompatible and non-toxic to cells [20]. Recently the synthesis of AuNPs has been reported using medicinal plant Halymenia dilatata owing to their non-toxic effects and improved drug delivery [25].

Breast carcinoma is recognized as the second most common reason for cancer-related deaths globally. Among the Indian females, it occupies the first position in age-standardised mortality rates [26]. Though wide varieties of chemotherapeutic agents have been used in the treatment of breast cancer, they are often associated with various risk factors [27]. Hence, there is a need to identify novel strategies to combat cancer. Among many such approaches, nanomolecules are of interest due to their specificity in target-oriented drug delivery and non-toxicity. Earlier pre-clinical reports have shown that the plant-based nanoparticles hold great promise for better management of cancer with negligible side effects [28].

Commiphora wightii, commonly known as the Guggul tree, is a medicinal plant having various therapeutic applications including antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities [29]. C.wightii has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments owing to its rich content of numerous phytoconstituents viz., terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, carbohydrates, sterols, and ferulates among others [30]. Previous studies have reported the Commiphora wightii mediated silver nanoparticles having antibacterial activity [31]. Recently, Sunayana et al. reported Vitex negundo mediated synthesis of AuNPs that displayed in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities [32]. The present study aimed at the synthesis of AuNPs using Commiphora wightii aqueous extract and evaluating their in vitro anticancer efficacy against MCF-7 cell lines.

Section snippets

Collection of plant material

Plant leaves of C. wightii were collected from Chamundi hill region (Latitude 12.2732 °N; Longitude 76.6707 °E) of Mysore district of Karnataka state in India during the summer season and the material was identified by experts at the Department of Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Karnataka, India.

Preparation of the extract

Fresh C. wightii leaves were washed thoroughly with distilled water dried on blotters under lab conditions and powdered using a blender. An aliquot (5 g) of C. wightii powder was extracted in

Synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles, particularly, using medicinal plants is gaining more attention due to its non-toxic and eco-friendly nature [38]. Therefore, the present report mainly emphasizes on the bioreduction of ionic gold into nanogold using an aqueous leaf extract. Phytosynthesized gold nanoparticles (Cw@AuNPs) in the solution of plant extract was confirmed by visual change in color from yellow to purple (Fig. 1 inset). The color appeared was in order of the excitation of Surface Plasmon

Conclusion

The present study was specially designed to investigate the role of AuNPs synthesized using Commiphora wightii and to explore their anticancer efficacy. As this is a green chemistry approach, the method does not pose any environmental hazard. In this regard, the present report has clearly emphasized the rapid synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of anticancer efficiency of Cw@AuNPs on MCF-7 cell line. Cw@AuNPs was found to have significant effects on the induction of apoptosis in MCF-7

Acknowledgments

Uzma Munawer is highly grateful to GOKDOM (Government of Karnataka Department of Minorities) for providing fellowship to carry out the research. Authors are thankful to IISc, Bangalore for providing necessary facility for nanoparticle characterization. Authors are grateful to SKANDA Life sciences Pvt Ltd for gifting the ATCC cell line for the present study. Authors are grateful to Dr. Bhagyalakshmi Neelwarne (Retd. Head and Chief Scientist, Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, CFTRI, Mysore),

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Biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Commiphora wightii and their cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)

Highlights

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Collection of plant material

Preparation of the extract

Synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Saudi J. Biol. Sci.

J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol.

Biomed. Pharmacother.

Process. Biochem.

J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol.

J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol.

J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol.

J. Mol. Liq.

Microb. Pathog.

Process. Biochem.

Int. J. Pharm.

Process. Biochem.

J. Immunol. Methods

Saudi J. Biol. Sci.

Biotechnol. Rep.

Asian Pac. J. Trop. Med.

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Pt nanoparticles supported on mesoporous CeO₂ nanostructures obtained through green approach for efficient catalytic performance toward ethanol electro-oxidation