Characterization and screening of anticancer properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles synthesized using <italic>Averrhoa carambola</italic> plant extract.

Abstract The green synthesis (GS) of metallic nanoparticles has been reassessed by plant extracts for their natural potential to reduce metallic ions into neutral atoms at no expense of toxic and hazardous chemicals. Biomolecules found in plant extracts can be used to reduce metal ions to nanoparticles in a single step process. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) have a wide variety of applications in different areas, especially in the biomedical fields including treatment of cancer. This study was focused on the biosynthesis of CeO2 NPs using <italic>Averrhoa carambola</italic> leaf extract acts as green reducing agents which are quite impressive to explore pharmaceutical and medical applications. The CeO2 NPs were characterized. The biomedical activities of CeO2 NPs were tested against prostate, colon and breast cancer cell lines by employing MTT assay. The overall studies highlight the antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-ROS potential of CeO2 NPs. HIGHLIGHTS Green chemistry for the synthesis of nanoparticles has increased its advantage in the field of biomedical and therapeutic applications. Single step synthesis. CeO2 NPs are good antibacterial agent because it inactivates the protein and lowers membrane permeability which results in cell death. CeO2 NPs are excellent therapeutic agents to detoxify the reactive oxygen species (ROS). CeO2 NPs are having invading property toward cancer cells. Green chemistry for the synthesis of nanoparticles has increased its advantage in the field of biomedical and therapeutic applications.Single step synthesis.CeO2 NPs are good antibacterial agent because it inactivates the protein and lowers membrane permeability which results in cell death.CeO2 NPs are excellent therapeutic agents to detoxify the reactive oxygen species (ROS).CeO2 NPs are having invading property toward cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]