Sono-synthesis approach improves anticancer activity of ZnO nanoparticles: reactive oxygen species depletion for killing human osteosarcoma cells

Aim: To investigate the effect of ultrasound during the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) on their anticancer activity. Materials & methods: ZnO NPs were synthesized in the presence and absence of ultrasonic irradiation. Biological tests were performed on human osteosarcoma cancer cells (Saos-2). Results: The sono-synthesized sample indicated higher cytotoxicity than the conventional one. (IC50 = 16.48 +/- 0.41 mu g/ml for sonochemical ZnO; 26.96 +/- 0.33 mu g/ml for conventional ZnO). Both sonochemical and conventional samples acted like antioxidants and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species level. This reduction was more significant in cells treated with the sono-synthesized sample. The sono-synthesized ZnO NPs showed more tumor selectivity than the conventional sample. Conclusion: Sono-synthesis of ZnO NPs by a bath sonicator could improve their anticancer activity.

Automated summary

The study showed that the sono-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles exhibited higher cytotoxicity and tumor selectivity compared to conventionally synthesized ones. These nanoparticles acted as antioxidants and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, with the sono-synthesized sample showing more significant reduction.