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The goal of this work was to assess the cytotoxicity, chemical characteristics, thermal stability, and antioxidant activity of green-synthesized MgO nanoparticles (MgO NPs) produced from pumpkin seed extract for their potential therapeutic implications in cancer treatment. The shape, chemical properties, and thermal stability of MgO NPs made with green synthesis were looked at with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), ultraviolet-visible, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis. Three cell lines, HCT-116, HT29, and Vero, were used to test the cytotoxicity of MgO NPs. The AlamarBlue® assay was used for HCT-116 and Vero cells, and the Neutral Red (NR) Uptake Assay was used for HT29 cells. A molecular docking study was done to find out how MgO nanoparticles and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), a protein linked to cancerous cells growing out of control, interact. The morphological properties, size, aggregation, shapeless pores, and high surface-to-area volume ratio of biosynthesized MgO NPs were shown using SEM and TEM imagings. The elemental composition of Mg and O in green-synthesized MgO NPs was validated using EDX. The AlamarBlue® assay did not yield IC50 values for HCT-116 and Vero cells, suggesting minimal cytotoxicity in these cell lines. However, the NR Uptake Assay showed an IC50 of 164.1 µg/mL for HT29 cells, indicating a significant impact. The DPPH experiment revealed that MgO nanoparticles had high antioxidant activity, with a scavenging capacity of 61% and an IC50 of 170 μg/mL. In conclusion, MgO nanoparticles produced utilizing green chemistry demonstrated a wide range of biological features, including antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against three cell lines. According to molecular docking studies, these nanoparticles may interact with CDK2, a protein implicated in cancer cell growth. These findings emphasize MgO nanoparticles’ potential for cancer treatment. However, further study is needed to understand the underlying processes and investigate therapeutic applications.

This study aimed to investigate the characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) produced from Cucurbita pepo L. (pumpkin seeds) and their selective cytotoxic effectiveness on human colon cancer cells (HCT 116) and African Green Monkey Kidney, Vero cells. The study also investigated the antioxidant activity of ZnONPs. The study also examined ZnONPs' antioxidant properties. This was motivated by the limited research on the comparative cytotoxic effects of ZnO NPs on normal and HCT116 cells. The ZnO NPs were characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Transmission Electron Microscope/Selected Area Electron Diffraction (TEM/SAED), and Scanning Electron Microscope‐Energy Dispersive X‐ray (SEM–EDX) for determination of chemical fingerprinting, heat stability, size, and morphology of the elements, respectively. Based on the results, ZnO NPs from pumpkins were found to be less than 5 μm and agglomerates in nature. Furthermore, the ZnO NPs fingerprinting and SEM–EDX element analysis were similar to previous literature, suggesting the sample was proven as ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs also stable at a temperature of 380°C indicating that the green material is quite robust at 60–400°C. The cell viability of Vero cells and HCT 116 cell line were measured at two different time points (24 and 48 h) to assess the cytotoxicity effects of ZnO NP on these cells using AlamarBlue assay. Cytotoxic results have shown that ZnO NPs did not inhibit Vero cells but were slightly toxic to cancer cells, with a dose–response curve IC50 = ~409.7 μg/mL. This green synthesis of ZnO NPs was found to be non‐toxic to normal cells but has a slight cytotoxicity effect on HCT 116 cells. A theoretical study used molecular docking to investigate nanoparticle interaction with cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), exploring its mechanism in inhibiting CDK2's role in cancer. Further study should be carried out to determine suitable concentrations for cytotoxicity studies. Additionally, DPPH has a significant antioxidant capacity, with an IC50 of 142.857 μg/mL. Research Highlights: Pumpkin seed extracts facilitated a rapid, high‐yielding, and environmentally friendly synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles.Spectrophotometric analysis was used to investigate the optical properties, scalability, size, shape, dispersity, and stability of ZnO NPs.The cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs on Vero and HCT 116 cells was assessed, showing no inhibition of Vero cells and cytotoxicity of cancer cells.The DPPH assay was also used to investigate the antioxidant potential of biogenic nanoparticles.A molecular docking study was performed to investigate the interaction of ZnO NPs with CDK2 and to explore the mechanism by which they inhibit CDK2's role in cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green-synthesized nanoparticles from pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seed extracts are economical and eco-friendly. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their selective cytotoxicity towards HCT116 and African Green Monkey Kidney, Vero cells were investigated. Chemical fingerprinting, heat stability, and 2D-images of nanoparticle size and morphology were determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) on AgNPs. UV-vis examination shows surface plasmons in the wide peak at 417 nm, indicating polydisperse nanoparticles. Small silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) below 2 µm demonstrated a rodlike form and a tendency to agglomerate. SEM-EDX element analysis and fingerprinting confirmed the material as AgNPs. TEM indicated that the nanoparticles were generally spherical or ellipsoidal, equally dispersed, and averaged 26.08 nm in diameter with negligible aggregation. The AgNPs are also stable at a temperature of 220°C, indicating that the green material is quite robust at 150°C to 400°C. According to cytotoxic studies, AgNPs are toxic to cancer cells (HCT 116 cells), however they have no effect on Vero cells. AgNPs and tubulin (TUB) domain active sites have a significant affinity, according to molecular docking analysis. In an electrochemical investigation, biogenic AgNPs effectively prevented mild steel from corroding in a 1.0 M HCl solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • We have synthesized and characterized 20–25-nm nickel oxide nanoparticles. • Evaluating the cytotoxicity of nickel oxide nanoparticles on HT-29 and SW620 cells. • Monitoring the effect of nickel oxide nanoparticles on morphology of HT-29 cells. • Evaluating the alteration in apoptotic regulatory Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and PARP proteins. • Monitoring the bactericidal potential of nickel oxide nanoparticles. Abstract Despite the extensive implication of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) in different fields such as biomedical science and industrial manufacturing, their effect on human cancer cells has not been elucidated. In this study, we report a simple process for the preparation of NiO-NPs. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the surface architecture and dimension of the synthesized NiO-NPs. The average diameter of the NiO-NPs was approximately 20–25 nm. We used two human colon cancer cell lines, HT-29 and SW620, to assess the nanoparticles' cytotoxicity. The MTT assay showed that the NiO-NPs reduced cell viability of HT-29 and SW620 cell lines. The results of inverted microscopy showed the highest cytotoxic activity with 600 μg/ml concentration of NiO-NPs on HT-29 cells. Western blot assay showed the downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 and Bcl-xL proteins in HT-29 cells treated with NiO-NPs. Moreover the results demonstrated the induction of PARP (Cleaved) in NiO-NPs treated HT-29 cells which are considered the marker of apoptosis. The NiO-NPs were not demonstrated bactericidal effect on six different bacterial strains tested, implying that the NiO-NPs may not perturb the human normal gut microbiome. The results have showed the promising application of the NiO-NPs in management of cancer in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new transition metal complexes, Cu(II) 1, Co(II) 2, and Zn(II) 3 with ligand “bimnap” derived from 1-methyl-2-aminobenzimidazole and 2-hydroxynapthaldehyde were synthesized and characterized. The structure of the ligand was determined by single X-ray crystallography. All the three complexes, 1–3, were examined for the mode of interaction with biomolecule viz., calf thymus-DNA (CT-DNA) using various spectroscopic methods. The nuclease activity was performed against pBR322 DNA that exhibited concentration-dependent degradation of the nucleic acid. The mechanism of DNA cleavage was studied by the electrophoretic pattern in the presence of the radical scavengers. Also, the complexes 1–3 were analyzed for groove binding affinity. Moreover, in vitro cytotoxicities of the complexes 1–3 were tested against the five human cancer cell lines, i.e., HeLa, SK-MEL-1, HepG2, HT108, and MDA-MB 231. Also, the cell adhesion and migration properties upon treatment of cell lines with complexes 1–3, and consequently, their cell death pathway via apoptosis and necrosis were analyzed. Further, complexes 1–3 were studied in vivo for their toxicities and tolerabilities in mice. In sum, the complexes 1–3 showed merits of an effective anticancer agent in cell lines–based study while minor side effects were observed in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we have synthesized and characterized a new benzimidazole-derived “BnI” ligand and its copper(II) complex, [Cu(BnI)2], 1, and zinc(II) complex, [Zn(BnI)2], 2, using elemental analysis and various spectroscopic techniques. Interaction of complexes 1 and 2 with the biomolecules viz. HSA (human serum albumin) and DNA were studied using absorption titration, fluorescence techniques, and in silico molecular docking studies. The results exhibited the significant binding propensity of both complexes 1 and 2, but complex 1 showed more avid binding to HSA and DNA. Also, the nuclease activity of 1 and 2 was analyzed for pBR322 DNA, and the results obtained confirmed the potential of the complexes to cleave DNA. Moreover, the mechanistic pathway was studied in the presence of various radical scavengers, which revealed that ROS (reactive oxygen species) are responsible for the nuclease activity in complex 1, whereas in complex 2, the possibility of hydrolytic cleavage also exists. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the ligand and complexes 1 and 2 were studied on a panel of five different human cancer cells, namely: HepG2, SK-MEL-1, HT018, HeLa, and MDA-MB 231, and compared with the standard drug, cisplatin. The results are quite promising against MDA-MB 231 (breast cancer cell line of 1), with an IC50 value that is nearly the same as the standard drug. Apoptosis was induced by complex 1 on MDA-MB 231 cells predominantly as studied by flow cytometry (FACS). The adhesion and migration of cancer cells were also examined upon treatment of complexes 1 and 2. Furthermore, the in vivo chronic toxicity profile of complexes 1 and 2 was also studied on all of the major organs of the mice, and found them to be less toxic. Thus, the results warrant further investigations of complex 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) were synthesized using a urea-based thermal decomposition technique, and characterized using different techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the phase purity and crystalline structure of CuO-NPs. The size of CuO-NPs was investigated using XRD and was confirmed via dynamic light scattering analysis. CuO-NPs showed an average diameter of ∼20 nm. The possible cytotoxicity of CuO-NPs was evaluated in HT-29 and SW620 cancer cell lines. The median inhibitory concentration of CuO-NPs in HT-29 and SW-620 cells was 4.99 and 3.75 μg/mL, respectively. The underlying mechanism responsible for apoptosis in colon cancer cells after CuO-NP exposure has not been well understood. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms of induction of apoptosis via analysis of the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins in HT-29 human colon cancer cells after CuO-NP exposure. Western blot assay showed downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein expression after CuO-NP exposure. Our findings may aid in the understanding of the potential mechanisms responsible for induction of apoptosis owing to inhibition of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein expression. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity assay showed that the synthesized CuO-NPs did not exert significant inhibitory effects against different gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in vitro . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]