Synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles from hemp leaf Extract: Evaluation of Antibacterial, anticancer and enzymatic activities

Abstract

With the development of technology, many studies continue on nanotechnological material synthesis and the development of synthesis methods. In metal/metal oxide nanoparticle synthesis, apart from classical synthesis methods such as chemical and physical, “green synthesis” represents the latest research used in nanotechnology. In this study, CeO2 metal oxide nanoparticles were synthesized from the waste leaves of Cannabis sativa L., popularly known as cannabis, using the “green synthesis” method, characterized by various methods, and research was conducted on its antibacterial, anticancer, and enzymatic effects. According to XRD result, the average crystallite size of CeO2 NPs was calculated as 52 nm due to analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images showed that the nanoparticles had angular structures and ranged in size from 49 to 68 nm. It was informed that the nanoparticles obtained by EDX analysis had 35.66 % O and 54.56 % Ce content. The cytotoxic effect of CeO2 NP was evaluated in human breast cancer cells and human mammary epithelial cells. Accordingly, CeO2 NP had an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, and the cytotoxic effects of CeO2 NP were higher against breast cancer cells than normal epithelial cells. The CeO2 NP has an IC50 value of 2.789 ± 0.44 mg/mL against AChE. According to antibacterial analysis, the CeO2 NP adversely affects all tested microorganisms. Especially it demonstrated bactericidal activity against E. coli at 500 µg/mL.