Design, Synthesis, and Toxicity Evaluation of the Green Synthesized Oxaliplatin Nanoparticles Using Ginger Extract against Colorectal Cancer Cells

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in malignant tumor mortality worldwide. Oxaliplatin, a third-generation chemotherapeutic drug, treats several malignancies, including colorectal cancer, after cisplatin and carboplatin. However, reducing side effects and optimizing efficacy is challenging. The utilization of plant-assisted green synthesis for the production of nanoparticles is a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach. This method could be at the forefront of chemotherapy due to its simplicity and efficiency. The ginger extract has been well-introduced with anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. The present study involved the green synthesis and characterization of oxaliplatin nanoparticles (OxPt NPs) through dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). This study investigated the effectiveness of OxPt NPs, ginger extract, and conventional oxaliplatin (first-line drug of CRC) on the HCT116 colorectal cancer cell line through MTT assay comparatively. The findings exhibited an outstanding efficiency of 72% in the synthesis process of OxPt nanoparticles and their subsequent encapsulation utilizing ginger extract. The nanoparticles demonstrated a size distribution within the 50–110 nm range and exhibited remarkable stability in colloidal form. The MTT assay results indicate that the OxPt NPs showed a favorable cytotoxic effect on colorectal cancer cells, as evidenced by an IC₅₀ value of 7.08 µM. Furthermore, flow cytometry data show that the nanoparticles primarily induced apoptosis as the mechanism of cell death rather than necrosis. The findings indicate that the synthesized OxPt NPs can be a new and efficient medication for addressing CRC. Overall, the present investigation showcases the efficacious amalgamation and delineation of OxPt nanoparticles, exhibiting their potential cytotoxic impacts on colorectal cancer cells.