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. 2025 Apr 3:16:1565308.
doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1565308. eCollection 2025.

Synergistic anticancer potential of biogenic nanoparticles and cryptomeridiol from Sphaeranthus indicus: targeting gastric cancer through apoptosis and cell cycle arrest

Pan Zhao  1   2 , Jigang Wang  1 , Chang Zou  2
Affiliations

Synergistic anticancer potential of biogenic nanoparticles and cryptomeridiol from Sphaeranthus indicus: targeting gastric cancer through apoptosis and cell cycle arrest

Pan Zhao et al. Front Pharmacol. .

Abstract

Background: S. indicus has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential due to its bioactive compounds. This study investigated the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of Sphaeranthus indicus extract, its active fraction, and biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on human gastric cancer (HGT-1) cells.

Methods: The plant was collected and subjected to Soxhlet extraction using ethanol, followed by sequential solvent partitioning and silica gel column chromatography to isolate bioactive fractions. Green synthesis of AgNPs was conducted using S. indicus extract. Structural characterization was conducted via UV- spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and FESEM. Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT and CCK-8 assays, while apoptosis induction was evaluated through qPCR and Western blot analysis of key apoptotic markers.

Results: The ethanolic extract exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against HGT-1 cells, whereas biosynthesized AgNPs demonstrated enhanced anticancer activity with reduced toxicity to normal hepatocytes. The active fraction, identified as cryptomeridiol, showed the highest selectivity and potency against cancer cells. qPCR revealed significant upregulation of p21 and downregulation of CDK2, suggesting cell cycle arrest. Western blot analysis confirmed increased expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and a reduction in XIAP, indicating apoptosis activation.

Conclusion: This study underscores the potential of S. indicus bioactive compounds and AgNPs as therapeutic agents, particularly against gastric cancer. The findings provide a basis for further exploration into their mechanism of action and broader pharmacological applications. Keywords: S. indicus, Bioactive compounds, Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), Gastric cancer-HGT-1, Apoptosis.

Keywords: S. indicus; apoptosis; bioactive compounds; gastric cancer-HGT-1; silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
UV-Vis and FTIR Spectra of chloroform Fraction and Silver Nanoparticles (A) UV-Vis absorption spectrum of the S. indicus-derived silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), (B) FTIR spectrum of the synthesized AgNPs showing characteristic peaks at 3,423 cm-1 (O-H stretching), 1,628 cm-1 (C=O stretching), and 1,384 cm-1 (C-N stretching).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
SEM and TEM Pattern of Silver Nanoparticles. (A) SEM image of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Sphaeranthus indicus extract, showing a predominantly spherical morphology with uniform size distribution. (B) TEM image of silver nanoparticles revealing their well-dispersed structure, with a size range of 15–25 nm and minimal agglomeration.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Cytotoxicity of Extract, Silver Nanoparticles, and Active Fraction on HGT1 Cells and Normal Hepatocytes Cytotoxicity of Sphaeranthus indicus ethanolic extract (S.I. ext), silver nanoparticles (S.I. AgNPs), and active fraction (cryptomeridiol) against human gastric cancer cells (HGT1) and normal hepatocytes.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Cell viability assay of Sphaeranthus indicus extract, silver nanoparticles, and active fraction.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Quantitative PCR analysis of apoptosis-related gene expression in HGT1 cells treated with Sphaeranthus indicus extract, isolated fraction, and AgNPs.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Western blot analysis of apoptosis-related proteins in HGT1 cells under different concentrations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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