Plant based biosynthesis of TiO2NPs and evaluation of their cytotoxicity, antihemolytic, and protein antidenaturation effects.

• Anatase Aw-TiO 2 NPs showed a spherical shape and a size range of 3–20 nm. • Aw-TiO 2 NPs significantly decreased the viability of A375 and MCF-7 cancer cells. • Aw-TiO 2 NPs induced excessive ROS generation and decreased MMP in cancer cells. • The anti-hemolytic effects of anatase Aw-TiO 2 NPs on horse-RBCs were demonstrated. • These NPs excellently inhibited the protein denaturation. The current research reports the physicochemical and biological properties of biosynthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) using bioactive compounds of Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch extract (Aw-TiO 2 NPs). The cytotoxic impacts of Aw-TiO 2 NPs were assessed by the MTT method on A375 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines and normal skin fibroblast cell line and also by hemolysis test against horse red blood cells (RBCs). In addition, apoptotic activity was analyzed by assaying the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Additionally, the potential of Aw-TiO 2 NPs in inhibiting protein denaturation was evaluated. The prepared Aw-TiO 2 NPs with a size range of 3–20 nm and almost spherical shape showed an anatase crystallographic phase. A significant dose-dependent reduction in cancer cell viability was observed against anatase Aw-TiO 2 NPs with IC50 values of 12.5 and 25 µg/mL for A375 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Aw-TiO 2 NPs induced the generation of excessive ROS (95.9 %-215.4 %) and decreased MMP (60.9 %-72 %) in cancer cells, which leads to the initiation of intrinsic apoptosis. Furthermore, anatase Aw-TiO 2 NPs had no hemolytic effects on horse-RBCs and excellently inhibited protein denaturation (80.8 % at 500 µg/mL). Therefore, anatase Aw-TiO 2 NPs can be a valuable and biocompatible candidate for biomedical applications and clinical uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]