Abstract
Introduction: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are one of the most interesting metal oxide nanoparticles due to their easy functionalization, biocompatibility, and anticancer impact. The current study was designated to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anticancer potency of biologically synthesized ZnONPs. Methods: Fenugreek seeds’ extract was used to prepare ZnONPs, and then characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-V spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The in vitro antitumor activity of biogenic ZnONPs against different cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay. In addition, their anticancer activities alone or in combination with Doxorubicin were investigated against EAC model using intraperitoneal injection day after day. Results: Biologically synthesized ZnONPs showed a cytotoxic potency against different cancer cell lines combined with lower toxicity against normal cells. Further, the in vivo study revealed that the treatment by ZnONPs alone or combined with doxorubicin hampered the proliferation of EAC in mice by lowering the ascetic volume and the number of viable tumor cells. Moreover, ZnONPs alone or combined with doxorubicin induced the cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of caspase-3 and Bax and down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 proteins. Conclusion: Our study indicated that the biogenic ZnONPs could be instructive to future cancer treatment research.
Highlights
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are one of the most interesting metal oxide nanoparticles due to their easy functionalization, biocompatibility, and anticancer impact
These results come in full agreement with previous studies 38, which observed that the oral administration of ZnONPs at doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg inhibited the rate of tumor growth by 31.5 and 46% respectively in Ehrlich solid carcinoma (ESC) bearing mice compared to the untreated group
This finding is supported by Nabeel, who demonstrated that treatment with ZnONPs decreased liver function enzymes near the normal control; the decrement was significant to the untreated Ehrlich carcinoma (EC) solid tumor group 39
Summary
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are one of the most interesting metal oxide nanoparticles due to their easy functionalization, biocompatibility, and anticancer impact. The in vitro antitumor activity of biogenic ZnONPs against different cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay Their anticancer activities alone or in combination with Doxorubicin were investigated against EAC model using intraperitoneal injection day after day. The chemotherapeutic drugs are considered as the primary option for different malignant tumors These anticancer agents are designated to kill the cancer cells in a non-specific manner, leading to its distribution and accumulation in healthy tissues and resulting in undesirable and severe side effects 1. Fenugreek seeds contain various components such as diosgenin, saponin, coumarin, a variety of alkaloids such astrigonellin, gentianin and carpaine, polyphenol compounds such as rhaponticin and isovitexin, and flavonoids 6 Such biomolecules contain different functional groups capable of forming nanoparticles. Previous studies suggested that fenugreek seeds extract is rich in galactomannan — polysaccharides that have reducing functional groups which may have an important role in nanoparticles preparation, in addition to, containing phenolic compounds that may act as capping and stabilizing agents
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