Green synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles using leaf extract of Mimosa pudica for killing triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and bacteria

Abstract

With great progress in the treatment of breast cancer, Nanomedicine is emerging as a viable option for controlled and targeted medication delivery. The present study harnessed Mimosa pudica leaf extract to synthesize nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) via aqueous phase green synthetic approach. The structural, optical properties, morphological and elemental analysis were characterized by XRD, UV–Vis spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and EDX analysis. Upon characterizing the green synthesized NiONPs, it exhibited Bunsenite NiO, with an average crystalline size of 34 nm and were pure. The energy gap of 3.71 eV has been observed in NiONPs with an absorbance peak at 355 nm, confirmed the quantum confinement effect of nanoparticle's existence. The FESEM showed the presence of closely spherical morphology with an average diameter of 43 nm. The zeta potential and PDI were recorded at −21.3 ± 0.17 mV and 0.369 respectively, indicated a stable monodisperse nano system. NiONPs proven antibacterial performance with maximum zone of inhibition of 12 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae at 60 μg/mL and decreased bacterial growth dose-dependently recorded after 24 h of incubation at 37 °C, under visible light. The biosynthesized NiONPs exhibited maximum antioxidant activity of 56 % against DPPH with a calculated IC50 value of 103.8 μg/mL for the NiONPs. Cytotoxic studies demonstrated a substantial decrease in the growth of triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner as the concentration of NPs escalated from 5 µg/mL to 100 µg/mL after 24 h. Based on above findings, we finally conclude that utilizing a greener approach to synthesize NiONPs holds a significant potential for treating triple-negative breast cancer and associated infections.