Biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles: Cytotoxic evaluation against human colorectal cancer cell lines

Abstract

Recent research reveals the impending importance of nanoparticles in medicine. Among various deadly diseases, cancer is one of the most dangerous categories for which no treatment is currently available other than surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc. One major issue with these treatments is the side effect such as fatigue, pain, hair loss, vomiting, etc. So a better alternative is extremely desirable in these highly demanding times. Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted wide interest due to their superparamagnetic properties, nontoxicity and have been used in many fields. Iron oxide NPs are used in cancer magnetic nano therapy because of their magneto-spin effects in free radical reactions and ability to produce oxygen radicals. Iron oxide NPs may also be used in magnetic hyperthermia as a cancer treatment method. In the present study, we studied the apoptosis-inducing activity of biosynthesized iron oxide NPs synthesized via green method using Pimenta dioica leaf extract. The extent of cell viability was investigated using MTT assay. It was observed that the iron oxide NPs significantly reduce the cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. The studies confirm that the biosynthesized iron oxide NPs have an efficient growth-inhibitory effect on DLD-1 human colon cancer cells and are less toxic on normal L929 (fibroblast) cells.