Physicochemical properties of green synthesised ZnO nanoparticles and utilisation for treatment of breast cancer

Abstract

Metal oxide nanoparticles with unique properties have recently attracted much attention as a potential smart material for treatment of cancer. The inherent structural and ionic defects in ZnO nanoparticles allow the formation of intracellular superoxide and hydroxyl radicals after entering a cancer cell causing damage on DNA and preventing subsequent replication. However, the full extent of the DNA damage and the knock-on effect with respect to protein synthesis is not copiously comprehended. This study tries to tune the cytotoxic activity of ZnO nanoparticles in virtue of physicochemical property against human breast cancer cell (MCF-7) via reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced DNA damage leading to apoptosis. In order to produce an array of different size and shape of ZnO nanoparticles with varying structural defects, this study utilised the unique phytochemicals of Terminalia arjuna, Swertia chirayita, and Psidium guajava as the active reducing agents for the formation of the nanoparticle from the mineral salt. Variations in the created nanoparticle size and relative structural defects have caused a consequential surge in ROS production inside cancer cells resulting in enhanced effectiveness of ZnO nanoparticles for cancer treatment.