Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Pedalium murex L. and its antiproliferative activity against breast cancer (MCF-7) cells

Highlights

• Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles are easily mastered by using from aqueous leaf extract of pedalium murex L. has been focused with the characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles.

• A quasi spherical shaped silver nanoparticles formed showed a plasmon resonance peak at 425 nm with excellent anticancer property against breast cancer cells.

• Both antioxidant and antimicrobial efficiency increased the pharmaceutical value and play as an eco-friendly applicant.

Abstract

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts have become a promising substitute for conventional method due to its bio-compatibility and its applications. In this study, we have reported low-cost synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from leaf extract of Pedalium murex. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles were further confirmed and characterized using UV-Visible spectrophotometer, scanning and transmission electron microscopy examination. UV-Visible spectra showed a surface resonance peak at 425 nm corresponding to the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). TEM analysis revealed a pseudo spherical morphology and a small size of 11 nm. Synthesized nanoparticles showed a remarkable antimicrobial property at 12 µg/ml against the human pathogenic organisms used. A dose-dependent activity against breast cancer (MCF-7) cells were observed with an IC₅₀ values of 65.60 µg/mL for the synthesized silver nanoparticles. Moreover, the inhibitory efficiency increased as the concentration of the synthesized nanoparticles were increased. Overall, the study suggested that the synthesized nanoparticles from Pedalium murex can be an eco-friendly applicant and further studies have to be carried out to understand the potential aspects against the treatment of breast cancer cells.

Introduction

Plants have been used as traditional medicines and novel compounds as preventive and curative medicines have been identified from plant sources in the modern science. Plants interact with stressful environments by their physiological adaptations and by altering the biochemical parameters of the plant tissues and thus by producing an array of secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols have been reported to possess antimutagenic and anticancer properties in many research studies [1]. The screening of plant derived products for antibacterial activity has shown that, the higher plants represent a potential source for novel antibiotic samples [2]. Nowadays, the field of nanotechnology received great attention of researchers in modern material science and technology [3], [4], [5], [6]. The most important and distinct property of nanoparticles is that they exhibit larger surface area to volume ratio [7]. The main advantage of using plant extracts to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is easy accessibility, Safe and in most cases nontoxic plants which can help to reduce silver ions [8]. AgNPs are widely used in biomedical field such as antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer treatments [8], [9], [10], [11]. The core advantage of using plant extracts to synthesize metal NPs is their accessibility with ease, safety and non-toxicity which help to reduce the metal ions and to stabilize the metal NPs [12], [13], [14], [15]. Plants have various types of phytoproducts such as terpenes, flavones, ketones, aldehydes, amides and carboxylic acids that directly involved in the reduction of silver ions, and the formation of AgNPs synthesized by using phytochemicals is faster than that by microbes [16], [17], [18]. Cancer is one of the cause in the world today and they are increasing day by day. Oxygen free radicals have attained importance due to its potential health benefits and anticancer property [18].

Pedalium murex Linn. (Pedaliaceae) is an annual herb, which grows abundantly on the sea costs in South India, Srilanka, Ceylon, Mexico and tropical Africa [19]. The whole plant of Pedalium murex Linn. has been reported for various pharmacological aspects such as antiulcerogenic, nephroprotective, hypolipidemic, aphrodisiac, antioxidant, antibacterial and insecticidal activities and fruits consists of alkaloids (3.5–5%), aromatic oil, resins, carbohydrates, saponins, glycosides, stable oil, reducing sugars, triterpenoids and flavonoids such as 2′, 4′, 5′-trihydroxy-5, 7-dimethoxy flavones and triacontanyl dotriacontanoate [20], [21], [22], [23]. This present study is focused on phytochemical analysis and free radical scavenging activity of aqueous extracts of P. murex, green synthesis of AgNPs from fresh leaves of P. murex and evaluation of antibacterial and anticancer activity of both P. murex L. extract and AgNPs nanoconjugates.