Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Loaded with Doxorubicin in Polylactide Nanoparticles for Effective Cancer Therapy

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly recognized as vital nanomaterials in biomedical applications due to their diverse pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial and anti-neoplastic effects, particularly when derived from herbal sources. This study aims to synthesize AgNPs employing a sustainable approach aligned with the principles of the sustainable development goals. The synthesized AgNPs are incorporated with doxorubicin (DOX) and encapsulated within polylactide nanoparticles to enhance their anticancer potency. AgNPs are prepared via the reduction of silver ions using rutin as a reducing agent, with the reaction progress monitored via ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). Subsequently, the AgNPs are encapsulated into poly(D, L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) nanoparticles alongside doxorubicin. The developed nanoparticles have shown a diameter size of 233 nm with a zeta potential of -21.47 mV. Moreover, the in vitro release profile of the DOX showed a sustained release kinetics over 30 h. Evaluation of the AgNP-DOX-loaded PDLLA nanoparticles reveals enhanced anticancer activity against HeLa and HepG2 cancer cells, highlighting the synergistic efficacy of the combined therapy. These findings underscore the potential of AgNPs-based formulations as promising candidates for advanced cancer therapeutics.

Graphical Abstract