Evaluation of cytotoxic activity against A549 human lung cancer cells using green synthesized N-Cholyl D-Penicillamine encapsulated silver and gold nanoparticles

Abstract

Synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles (MNPs) using a biocompatible template provides a biologically safe, cost effective, and environment friendly approach in view of biomedical applications. In this manusctipt, synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles (Au and Ag NPs) using N-cholyl D-penicilamine (NCPA) as an effective reducing and stabilizing agent at below the critical micellar concerntration (CMC) under sunlight exposure has been reported. The formation of NPs were optimized by changing the concentration of NCPA and pH of the medium. The synthesized Au and Ag NPs were characterized by UV-visible, FT-IR, DLS, Zeta potential and HR-TEM techniques. The average size of Au and Ag NPs were found to be 10.3 ± 0.4 and 9.1 ± 0.6 nm, respectively and exhibit stability for more than six month. The prepared NPs showed low toxicity on human erythrocytes (RBCs) even at their higher concentrations (120 μg/mL). The anticancer activity of NCPA capped NPs on A549 cells were investigated by cell viability assay, apoptosis analysis using MTT assay and Acridine Orange/Propidium Iodide (AO/PI) dual fluorescent staining asay. The results obtained from these studies suggest that the synthesized NPs showed potent cytotoxicity on A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Further, AgNPs showed better cytotoxicity as compared to AuNPs.