Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using quercetin biomolecule from mangrove plant, Ceriops tagal: Assessment of antiproliferative properties, cellular uptake and DFT studies

Abstract

Synthesis, structural elucidation and in vitro cytotoxic properties of quercetin gold nanoparticles (Qu-AuNPs) were derived from the mangrove plant, Ceriops tagal. UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the quercetin Au-NPs while UV–Vis spectral analysis noted a strong surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 430 nm. From the FT-IR results, the peaks obtained indicate their relation to phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins with the inference of their role as reducing agents. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis revealed that the quercetin molecule was responsible for the reduction of Au3+ ions into Au0. The fluorescence property of the nanoparticles (NPs) has been confirmed with a fluorescence microscope. Moreover, the antiproliferative activity of these Qu-AuNPs has been evaluated using two different human cancer cell lines. Cell culture results demonstrated the potential efficacy of these nano-formulations against A549 and HeLa cell lines. Results of the A549 and HeLa cancer cell culture substantiate the potential efficacy of these nano-formulations against both the cell lines with IC50 values of 79.9 µg/ml and 73 µg/ml for A549 and HeLa cell lines, respectively.