Synthesis, characterization, and anticarcinogenic potent of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles via Citrus aurantium aqueous peel extract

Abstract

Synthesis of nanoparticles with a green approach using plants has attracted great attention from scientific communities because of its characteristics, such as environmentally friendly and time-efficient. In this study, green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles was performed by Citrus aurantium aqueous peel extract. UV–VIS, FTIR, zeta potential, SEM, and EDX were used in characterization studies. In the UV–Vis spectrum, a heightening of the absorbance was monitored in the range of 260–390 nm specific to ZnO. The mean particle size of zinc oxide NPs (ZnONPs) was characterized as 632 ± 41 nm with low polydispersity (0.174 ± 0.055). As a result of EDX analysis, the presence of Zn in the scanned area was determined as 2.32%. The cytotoxic behaviors of ZnONPs on human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) were carried out by MTT method. It was discovered that after ZnONPs application, cell migration decreased and apoptotic cell rate increased with Hoescht/PI staining in MDA-MB-231 cells.