Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of the Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles of the Red Sea Sponge Phyllospongia lamellosa Supported by Metabolomics Analysis and Docking Study

Abstract

Background: The Red Sea sponges have been endorsed as a plentiful source of bioactive compounds with promising anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities; therefore, exploring their potential as a source of anti-cancer metabolites has stimulated a growing research interest.

Purpose: To investigate the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory potential of the Red Sea sponges, in their bulk and silver nanostructure. Metabolomics analysis of the selected sponge followed by molecular docking studies, will be conducted to explore and predict the secondary metabolites that might provide its capability of inhibiting cancer.

Materials and methods: We prepared a chloroform extract (CE) and ethyl acetate extract (EE) of the Red Sea sponge Phyllospongia lamellosa synthesized silver nanoparticles. The prepared silver nanoparticles were characterized through UV-vis spectrophotometric, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. Testing for their anti-cancer activities was performed against MCF-7, MDB-231, and MCF-10A cells. Anti-inflammatory activity against COX-1 and 2 was assessed. Furthermore, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics analysis and molecular docking were also applied.

Keywords: Phyllospongia lamellosa; anti-cancer; anti-inflammatory; antibacterial; metabolomics; silver nanoparticles.

Figure 1

Chemical structures of the compounds 1–25 that were putatively identified in the P. lamellosa-derived extracts. Green-colored compounds were predicted to have anticancer activity and to inhibit sPLA2. The mauve-colored compound is the reported co-crystalized inhibitor of sPLA2.

Figure 2

Color change due to formation of AgNPs by CE (a) and EE (c) and UV–vis spectra showing a clear plasmon band for AgNPs synthesized by PWC (b) and PWE (d).

Figure 3

TEM micrographs of poly-dispersed-shaped AgNPs prepared with CE (a) and spherical-shaped AgNPs prepared with EE (c) and FESEM micrographs of the prepared AgNPs (b,d).

Figure 4

X-ray diffraction patterns of the silver nanoparticles prepared with CE (a) and EE (b).

Figure 5

FTIR spectra of the green prepared AgNPs using CE (a) and EE extract (b).

Figure 6

Predicted binding modes of compounds 1, 2, 8, 10, and 15 (A–E, respectively) inside sPLA2 (PDB code: 5OWC), alongside the co-crystalized inhibitor (F).

Figure 7

PASS prediction scores of the compounds 1–25 as anticancer agents and COX inhibitors (A). Pa > 0.5 indicates high probability of them being active in vitro. Binding energy scores of compounds 1–25 inside sPLA2 (B).

Figure 8

In vitro growth inhibitory activities of the prepared SNPs against estrogen-positive and triple negative breast cancer cell lines alongside a normal breast cell line (A), and their inhibitory activities against both COX-1 and COX-2 (B). IC₅₀ values were expressed as µg/mL ± SE. CE-SNP—SNPs loaded with chloroform extract; EE-SNP—SNPs loaded with ethyl acetate extract; SNP—free SNPs; SI—selectivity index.