Facile preparation of zinc nanoparticles mediated by plant aqueous extract and assessment of the antioxidant, cytotoxicity and anti-human bone carcinoma properties

Abstract

In this study, the Zn nanoparticles were synthesized using the peel extract of Citrus aurantium. The nanoparticles were characterized by different chemical techniques including UV-Vis. and FT-IR spectroscopy, and SEM technique. The results revealed a spherical shape with an average size of 41.17 nm was identified for the green-synthesized nanoparticles. In the antioxidant test, the IC₅₀ of nanoparticles and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) against DPPH free radicals were 115 and 96 μg/mL, respectively. In the cellular and molecular part of the recent study, the treated cells with nanoparticles were assessed by the MTT assay for 48 h about the cytotoxicity and anti-human bone cancer properties on normal (HUVEC) and cancer cell lines, that is, A-673 and HS-729. The IC₅₀ of nanoparticles were 278 and 256 μg/mL against A-673 and HS-729 cell lines, respectively. The viability of malignant cell lines reduced dose-dependently in the presence of Zn nanoparticles. It seems that the anti-cancer effect of recent nanoparticles is due to their anti-oxidant effects. After evaluating the effectiveness of this formulation in clinical trial researches, it can be a good alternative to chemotherapy drugs.