Biogenic nanosized gold particles: Physico-chemical characterization and its anticancer response against breast cancer

Abstract

With the advancement of nanotechnology, the nano-sized particles make an imprint on our daily lives.The present investigation revealed that biomolecules present in seed exudates of Vigna radiata are responsible for the synthesis of AuNPs, confirmed by the routine characterization techniques. Anticancer efficacy showed by AuNPs might be due to the release of phytochemicals in the exudate which is being adsorbed on the surface of AuNPs referencing their anticancer efficacy against the tested breast cancer cell lines. Inhibition of clonogenicity and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase then apoptosis of AuNPs was also observed, but found nontoxic to the human PBMC cells which further confirms its biocompatible property Among the various physicochemical study, present AuNPs shows unique information, they show photoluminescent property which may be used for bioimaging purposes. However, further molecular analysis needs to be explored to understand the underlying mechanism for therapeutic and biomedical application.

Keywords: Anticancer; Antiproliferation; Biosynthesized; Gold nanoparticles.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Schematic representation of plan of work.

Fig. 2

The XRD diffractograph is shown in [a] with the most prominent peak corresponding to the plane [111] according to ICDD with the Williamson-Hall plot shown in [b] used to determine the average crystallite size and the microstrain developed in the crystal lattice. The FE-SEM image is shown in [c] with [d] depicting the TEM images with insets of SAED pattern. The histograph for the size distribution is given in [e] and [f] Exhibit EDX of the synthesized AuNPs.

Fig. 3

The Tauc plot for determination of the energy band gap of the AuNP system is shown in [a] with inset depicting the entire absorbance response with peak shown at 548 nm. The TRPL response for the emission peak at 354 nm is shown in [b]. PL response is shown in [c] with the excitation as well as emission spectra and the peak at 354 has been de-convulated [d].

Fig. 4

FTIR spectrum of biogenically synthesized AuNPs.

Fig. 5

a] Cytotoxic assay though MTT on PBMCs, b) Cytotoxic assay though Alamar blue on PBMC c) Membrane stability assay of AuNPs on PBMCs. Data are expressed as mean ± SE [n = 3]. ***significant p < 0.001.

Fig. 6

Cytotoxic assessment through MTT and Alamar blue assay on various breast cancer cell lines exposed to biogenic AuNPs- [a, f] MCF-7, [b, g] MDA MB435 s, [c, h] MDA MB 231 [d, i] MDA MB 468 [e, j] MCF7. Data are expressed as mean ± SE [n = 3]. * significant p < 0.05, ** significant p < 0.01, *** very significant p < 0.001.

Fig. 7

Cell viability assay on MCF-7 using trypan exclusion method.

Fig. 8

Flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle phase distribution in MCF-7 cells. Bar diagram showing the cell distribution in the subG1, G0/G1, S and G2/M phases for MCF-7 cells treated with vehicle control and AuNPs [25, 50 and 100 μg/mL]. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM [n = 3]. c = p < 0.05, b = p < 0.01 a = p < 0.001 vs control group.

Fig. 9

Effect of Biogenic AuNPs on colonogenecity inhibition on MCF-7 cells. a] Colony formation unit b] plating efficiencyandc]surviving fraction was analyzed and representative pictures are shown in the upper panel. Data expressed as [Mean ± SEM, n = 3]. Values are significant where * signifies p < 0.05, ** signifies p < 0.01, *** signifies p < 0.001 as compared with the control.