A Novel Integrated Approach: Plant-Mediated Synthesis, in vitro and in silico Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles for Breast Cancer and Bacterial Therapies.

Abstract

Background and aim: Nanotechnology offers a promising approach to address breast cancer and bacterial resistance, two critical global health challenges. This study synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using extracts from Rhazya stricta (R.S). Calotropis procera (C.P). and Calligonum comosum (C.C) to evaluate their potential as novel therapeutic agents.

Materials and methods: AgNP synthesis was achieved via co-precipitation, and their characterization was performed using various techniques. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay against multiple breast cancer cell lines (KAIMRC2, MDA-MB231, MCF-7) and a non-malignant control (MCF-10A). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using a well diffusion assay against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. LC-MS identified several bioactive metabolites, which were further analyzed in silico computational analysis to predict their anti-cancer and antibacterial properties.

Results: The resulting AgNPs demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells with minimal toxicity to normal cells, and potent antibacterial activity. Specifically, R.S.-AgNPs showed strongest activity against MDA-MB-231, C.P.-AgNPs against MCF-7, and C.C.-AgNPs against KAIMRC-2. Promising lead metabolites, including 1-Acetylaspidospermidine, Apigenin-7-o-glucoside, and Chlorogenic acid, were identified, suggesting potential for development as novel oral anti-cancer and antibacterial agents.

Conclusion: Further research focusing on the optimization and preclinical development of these identified metabolites is warranted to explore their translational potential as oral anti-cancer and antibacterial agents.