Synthesis of a reusable composite of graphene and silver nanoparticles for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and performance as anti-colorectal carcinoma

The preparation and formulation of new chemotherapeutic drugs and supplements with remarkable effects for the treatment of cancer are in the priority of both developing and developed countries. In the recent study, a composite of graphene and silver nanoparticles (GO/AgNPs) was fabricated to treat colorectal carcinoma. Characterization of GO/AgNPs was done by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopes (FE-SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) analysis. The catalytic activity of the GO/AgNPs nanocomposite is demonstrated in reducing 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by NaBH4 as the effective reductant. The reaction was thoroughly studied over a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The rate constants were also determined following pseudo-first-order kinetics and the catalyst was reused for several times with almost reproducible yields indicating the robustness of our catalyst. The anti-colorectal carcinoma potentials of GO, AgNO3, and GO/AgNPs were assessed by MTT assay against colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29), colorectal carcinoma (HCT 116), ileocecal colorectal adenocarcinoma (HCT-8 [HRT-18]), and Burkitt's lymphoma (Ramos.2G6.4C10) cell lines. GO/AgNPs had excellent cell death and anti-human colorectal cancer effects against colorectal carcinoma cell lines. The IC50 of GO/AgNPs were 489, 617, 537, and 496 mg/mL against HT-29, HCT 116, HCT-8 [HRT-18], and Ramos.2G6.4C10 cell lines, respectively. Among the above cell lines, the best finding of anti-colorectal cancer activities of GO/AgNPs was gained in the cell line of HT-29. The antioxidant activities of GO, AgNO3, and GO/AgNPs were investigated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test in comparison with butylated hydroxytoluene as a positive control. In the antioxidant test, GO/AgNPs prevented 50% of the DPPH molecules in the 344 mg/mL concentration. According to the above findings, it appears GO/AgNPs may be administrated as a chemotherapeutic supplement/drug to treat colorectal carcinoma. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The study prepared a composite of graphene and silver nanoparticles for the treatment of colorectal carcinoma, showing excellent anti-cancer effects and stability. The nanocomposite demonstrated significant catalytic activity and was effective in reducing 4-nitrophenol.