Green formulation of iron nanoparticles by plant extract induces apoptosis via P53 and STAT3 signaling pathways in prostate cancer cells

Abstract

There has been a high interest in utilizing natural anticancer composites, such as medicinal plants extracts. Punica granatum, a popular medicinal plant, has various pharmacological applications. In this particular research, iron NPs were formulated by the Punica granatum aqueous extract, following the principles of green chemistry. The research objective was to determine the efficacy of FeNPs on prostate cancer cells. The usual analytical examinations were applied for FeNPs. The FE-SEM results confirmed that the nanoparticles exhibited a spherical morphology, with sizes ranging from 10 to 40 nm. The nanoparticles UV–Vis spectrum is showcasing the confirmation of their formation through the band presence at 293 nm. The signals at 2θ values of 62.3, 57.4, 53, 40.5, and 35.6 correspond to the (440), (511), (422), (222), and (311) planes, respectively. The FeNPs crystal size was determined to be 24.95 nm by X-ray diffraction and Scherer's equation. To investigate the antioxidant efficacy, the DPPH assay was conducted. FeNPs prevented 50 % of DPPH in the dilation of 127 µg/mL. To measure the anti-prostate cancer efficacy of FeNPs, a MTT assay was applied on NCI-H660 and DU 145 cells. FeNPs had high anti-prostate cancer efficacy on the above tumor cells without any significant toxicity on HUVEC. The highest finding of anti-prostate cancer efficacies of FeNPs was seen in NCI-H660. IC50 of iron NPs was 117 and 110 on DU 145 and NCI-H660 prostate cancer cells. Cell apoptosis was observed as a result of NPs, with an increase in pro-apoptotic markers (cleaved caspase-8 and Bax) and a decrease in the anti-apoptotic marker, Bcl-2. Additionally, the presence of Fe NPs hindered colony formation when compared to the control group. Fe NPs-treated cells molecular pathway analysis revealed an elevation in p53 expression, while preventing the total and phosphorylated STAT3 expression in cancer cells. This suggests that STAT3 and p53 have a notable role in the medicinal effects induced by the Fe NPs in prostate cancer cells.