Plant-Based Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) Using Aqueous Leaf Extract of Aquilegia pubiflora: Their Antiproliferative Activity against HepG2 Cells Inducing Reactive Oxygen Species and Other In Vitro Properties

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021 Aug 17:2021:4786227. doi: 10.1155/2021/4786227. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) produced from aqueous leaf extract of Aquilegia pubiflora were evaluated in this study. Several methods were used to characterize ZnO-NPs, including SEM, FTIR, XRD, DLS, PL, Raman, and HPLC. The nanoparticles that had a size of 34.23 nm as well as a strong aqueous dispersion potential were highly pure, spherical or elliptical in form, and had a mean size of 34.23 nm. According to FTIR and HPLC studies, the flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were successfully capped. Synthesized ZnO-NPs in water have a zeta potential of -18.4 mV, showing that they are stable solutions. The ZnO-NPs proved to be highly toxic for the HepG2 cell line and showed a reduced cell viability of 23.68 ± 2.1% after 24 hours of ZnO-NP treatment. ZnO-NPs also showed excellent inhibitory potential against the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (IC50: 102 μg/mL) and butyrylcholinesterase (IC50: 125 μg/mL) which are involved in Alzheimer's disease. Overall, the enzymes involved in aging, diabetes, and inflammation showed a moderate inhibitory response to ZnO-NPs. Given these findings, these biosynthesized ZnO-NPs could be a good option for the cure of deadly diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and other inflammatory diseases due to their strong anticancer potential and efficient antioxidant properties.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Aquilegia / chemistry*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Metal Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / pharmacology*
  • Zinc Oxide / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Zinc Oxide