Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from Acacia nilotica and their anticancer, antidiabetic and antioxidant efficacy.

Both cancer and diabetes mellitus are serious health issues, accounting more than 11 million deaths worldwide annually. Targeted use of plant-mediated nanoparticles (NPs) in treatment of ailments has outstanding results due to their salient properties. The current study was designed to investigate the safe production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Acacia nilotica. Different concentrations of AgNO3 were tested to optimize the protocol for the synthesis of AgNPs from the bark extract. It was demonstrated that 0.1 M and 3 mM were found to be the optimum concentrations for the synthesis of AgNPs. Standard characterization techniques such as UV-vis spectrophotometry, SEM, SEM-EDX micrograph, spot analysis, elemental mapping and XRD were used for the conformation of biosynthesis of AgNPs. Absorption spectrum of plant-mediated AgNPs under UV-vis spectrophotometer showed a strong peak at 380 nm and 420 nm for AgNPs synthesized at 0.1 M and 3 mM concentration of salt. The SEM results showed that AgNPs were present in variable shapes within average particle size ranging from (20-50 nm). Anticancer, antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of green AgNPs was investigated and they showed promising results as compared to the positive and negative controls. Hence, AgNPs were found potent therapeutic agent against the human liver cancer cell lines (HepG2), strong inhibitor for α-glucosidase enzyme activity and scavenging agent against free radicals that cause oxidative stress. Further studies are however needed to confirm the molecular mechanism and biochemical reactions responsible for the anticancer and antidiabetic activities of the particles.

Biological synthesis, characterization of three metal-based nanoparticles and their anticancer activities against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

Treatment of liver cancer has always been a challenge for clinicians and development of appropriate drug against hepatocellular carcinoma is the major focus for researchers working in the field. The synthesis of metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) by green method for pharmacological uses has attained considerable attention recently. In current study three different NPs (AgO2, CeO2, CuO2) were synthesized by using Trianthima portulacastrum and Chinopodium quinoa leaf extracts. These biogenic NPs were analyzed by High-tech. approaches including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscope, SEM-EDS spot analysis, elemental mapping and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The anticancer potential of these nanoparticles was estimated using MTT assay, against hepatic cancer cell line (HepG2). SEM secondary electron images presented the nano size of prepared particles in agglomerated form with few porous forms. Average size of Ag-, Ce-, and CuNPs was observed 19-24 nm, 8-12 nm, 13-15 nm respectively. Elemental mapping and EDS-spot analysis ratifies the formation of AgNPs, CeNPs, and CuNPs. These NPs have shown good anticancer activity at different concentrations against HepG2 cell line. Further studies are however needed to identify the molecular mechanisms of these anticancer activities.