The green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticle as a novel natural apoptosis inducer in human breast (MCF7 and MDA-MB231) and colon (HT-29) cancer cells

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) have been widely applied as an efficient anticancer instrument. In the current study, we aimed to green-synthesize ZnONPs to investigate its antitumor impacts on the human breast (MCF7 and MDA-MB231) and colon (HT-29) cancer cell lines. They were synthesized using the Ferula assa-foetida and characterized by the XRD, FTIR, TEM, and SEM techniques subsequently. Then, their cytotoxic impacts were studied on cancer (MCF7, MDA-MB231, and HT-29) and normal (Huvec) cell lines. Also, the apoptotic and antioxidant activities of the nanoparticles were detected and verified. The ∼40-nm ZnONPs significantly induce the cell-selective cytotoxic and apoptotic (BAX overexpression, Sub G1 peaks enhancement, and fluorescent stained apoptotic cells) impacts. The findings suggest the novel biocompatible ZnONPs can be useful as a safe natural apoptosis inducer in human breast and colon cancer cells. However, further genes’ expression and cell lines are required to verify its cell-selective antitumor activity.