Abstract
In the present study, nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) were evaluated as an antibacterial and anticancer agent. The nanoparticles of nikel oxide were synthesized using aloe vera leaves extract and characterized with AFM (showing an average diameter of 45.11 nm), XRD and FE-SEM analyses. Three different concentrations (125, 250 and 500 µg/ml) were prepared from the synthesized NiO NPs and investigated for their potential antibacterial activity against both Enterococcus faecalis (Gram-positive bacteria) and Acinobacter baumannii (Gram-negative bacteria). While cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity were measured on both MCF-7 and AMJ13 cancer cell lines by MTT and caspase-9 luminescence assays. The results showed that NiO NPs inhibit bacterial growth, as indicated by large inhibition zones against both tested bacteria, with all studied concentrations. Moreover, the results of cytotoxicity and caspase-9 activity assays were in concordance with those of antibacterial activity, showing high cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects against both of the studied cancer cell lines and with all the tested concentrations of NiO NPs. Both the antibacterial and anticancer activities of NiO NPs were dose-dependent.
Highlights
Nanotechnology has attracted a great research interest in the last decades
Caspase-9 luminescent assay: This test was utilized to explain the mechanisms of cell death that was potentially induced by the synthesized nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) since caspase 9 is a member of the caspases family which is involved in apoptosis pathways
One of the suggested mechanisms for the increased antibacterial activity of nickel oxide (NiO) NPs was the interaction between the positive charge of bacterial surface, especially in Gram positive bacteria which has strong positive charge on its surface, and the negative charge on the surfaces of nanoparticles [9]
Summary
Nanotechnology has attracted a great research interest in the last decades. In several areas of research, different methods have been used for the development of nanoscale materials, such as physical or chemical methods [1]. Evaluation of the synthesized NiO nanoparticles by in vitro studies demonstrated that they may be mainly used for medicinal applications as antibacterial agents against many Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the biological activity of green synthesized nanoparticles (namely NiO NPS) as cost effective, available, and nontoxic antibacterial and anticancer agents.
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