Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles of aqueous extract of plectranthus amboinicus (lour.) Spreng for anticancer activity

Abstract

Present studies, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized using aqueous extract of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng plant. The prepared AgNPs (PA-AgNPs) were examined by Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The results obtained from various characterizations revealed that average size of biosynthesized AgNPs was 33 nm and in face-centered-cubic structure. The anticancer potential of PA-AgNPs was investigated against Human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). The cytotoxic response was assessed by MTT assay and NRU assays. Further, the influence of cytotoxic concentrations of PA-AgNPs cell cycle arrest and apoptosis/necrosis was studied. The cytotoxic response observed was in a concentration-dependent manner. The cell cycle analysis and apoptosis/necrosis assay data exhibited PA-AgNPs-induced SubG1 arrest and apoptotic/necrotic cell death. The biosynthesized AgNPs-induced cell death in HeLA cells suggested the anticancer potential of PA-AgNPs to treat the cervical cancer cells.