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. 2025;25(12):841-850.
doi: 10.2174/0118715206325529241004064307.

Cytotoxic Effects of Lecaniodiscus Cupanioides (Planch.) Extract and Triterpenoids-derived Gold Nanoparticles On MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Roshudufhadzwa Magadani  1 , Derek Tantoh Ndinteh  1 , Saartjie Roux  2 , Louisiane Patrick Nangah  3 , Item Justin Atangwho  3 , Daniel Ejim Uti  4   5 , Esther Ugo Alum  4 , Simeon Ikechukwu Egba  4
Affiliations

Cytotoxic Effects of Lecaniodiscus Cupanioides (Planch.) Extract and Triterpenoids-derived Gold Nanoparticles On MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Roshudufhadzwa Magadani et al. Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2025.

Abstract

Background: The prevalent disease known as breast cancer has a significant impact on both men's and women's health and quality of life.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the potential roles of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides (planch.) extract and triterpenoid- derived gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in cancer therapy, specifically targeting MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines.

Methods: Gold nanoparticles were synthesized utilizing triterpenoid (ZJ-AuNPs) and leaf extract from Lecaniodiscus cupanioides (LC-AuNPs). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and UV-vis spectroscopy were employed to characterize the nanoparticles. Additionally, the MTT assay was used to assess the impact of AuNPs on cancer cell viability using MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines.

Results: Analysis of ZJ-AuNPs and LC-AuNPs revealed DLS zeta potentials of -31.8 and -35.8 mV, respectively, and a corresponding UV-vis absorption maxima at 540 and 550 nm. Also, the ZJ-AuNPs and LC-AuNPs had respective zeta-sizes that ranged from 25.84 to 35.98 nm and polydispersive index values between 0.2360 and 0.773. Furthermore, the presence of the chemical groups -OH and -NH was shown to be necessary for the green method of capping and reducing the gold nanoparticles. Nevertheless, a significant decrease in cell viability percentages was noted in the MTT experiment, accompanied by an increase in the quantity or concentration of the nanoparticles for both ZJ-AuNPs and LC-AuNPs.

Conclusion: Given the data obtained in this study, the biosynthesized ZJ-AuNPs and LC-AuNPs were shown to possess potent cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells. Hence, they may be valuable tools in the development of new cancer chemotherapy drugs.

Keywords: Lecaniodiscus cupanioides extract; MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines; MTT assay; biosynthesized gold nanoparticles; cancer therapy.; triterpenoids.

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