Toxicity Study of Hematite (Α-Fe2O3) Nanoparticles Synthesized from Aqueous Flower Extract of Butea Monosperma on MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cell Line

Abstract

Background: Nanoparticles (Hematite (α-Fe2O3)) have been used as an antimicrobial and disinfectant agent. Nevertheless, there is limited data about antitumor potential. This study has focused on investigating cytotoxic effects of Hematite (α-Fe2O3) from Butea monosperma flower extract on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and its mechanism of action. Materials and Methods: Thus, a green method was created for the synthesis of Hematite (α-Fe2O3) using an aqueous extract of B.monosperma flower. Synthesis of Hematite (α-Fe2O3) was described by different analytical techniques including ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. Cell viability was determined by the 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-a 2, 5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was measured using probe 2', 7'- dichlorofluorescein diacetate and intracellular calcium (Cai2+) was evaluated with probe flu3-AM. Cells were treated with different concentrations of Hematite (α-Fe2O3) (1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 25, 50, and 100 μg/mL). Results: The results showed that Hematite (α-Fe2O3) hindered cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Hematite (αFe2O3) appeared to have dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells through activation of the ROS generation and an increase in the intracellular Cai2+ (IC50 52 ± 3.14). Conclusion: The results of this preliminary study demonstrated that Hematite (α-Fe2O3) from B monosperma flower extract may be a potential therapeutic potential medicament for human breast cancer treatment.