Cytotoxic action of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Phyllanthus fraternus on hepatic and breast cancer cell lines: A green approach

Abstract

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are an integral part of nanotechnology and setting up new trends
in pharmaceutical field due to its wide therapeutic applications. Aim: In the present research, green synthesis
of AgNPs using leaf extracts of Phyllanthus fraternus with an evaluation of their cytotoxicity activity against
hepatic and breast cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: AgNPs were used to characterized by ultraviolet
(UV)-visible spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry, scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) with elemental mapping, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction
(XRD). In vitro cytotoxicity studied by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay
method. Results and Discussion: AgNPs were identified by the change of color and their absorption at 420 nm
measured by UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectral analysis confirmed phenolic compounds presence,
morphology and size visualized in SEM, and TEM used for the determination of size, shape, and light scattering
analysis. Synthesized AgNPs were spherical in shape with size <50 nm. XRD analysis was affirmed the crystalline
nature of metal particles. In vitro cytotoxic result showed an excellent half maximal inhibitory concentration value
of 62.5 μg/mL and 125 μg/mL against hepatic cancer cell line (HepG-2) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).
Conclusions: The current study reveals green synthesized AgNPs possess high cytotoxic action against HepG-2
and MCF-7 cell lines which suggested the potential therapeutic use of these AgNPs as alternative medicine for the
treatment of hepatic and breast cancer cases