ZrO2 nanoparticles anchored on RGO sheets: Eco-friendly synthesis from Acacia nilotica (L.) fruit extract, characterization, and enhanced anticancer activity in different human cancer cells

Surface defects and the ability to tune the physicochemical properties of zirconium oxide nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) have made them a hot topic in biological research. We investigated the anticancer properties of Acacia nilotica (L.) fruit extract-green produced ZrO2/RGO nanocomposites (NCs). Fruit extract's polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds served as reducing and capping agents for the creation of ZrO2 adorned RGO sheets. Our goal was to maximize the anticancer potential of ZrO2/RGO NCs while simultaneously reducing their toxicity to normal tissues and reducing their impact on the environment. The XPS, XRD, TEM, SEM, EDS, and PL were used to characterize the pure ZrO2 NPs and ZrO2/RGO NCs that were green produced. XRD analysis revealed that ZrO2 crystallized in two different phases, monoclinic and tetragonal. TEM and SEM images demonstrated that ZrO2 particles were uniformly attached on RGO sheets. XPS and EDX analysis of the produced NCs verified the presence of ZrO2 and RGO. ZrO2 NPs had their particle size and PL intensity decreased after RGO addition. Anticancer data shown that ZrO2/RGO NCs was two-times more effective than pure ZrO2 NPs in inhibiting the growth of different human cancer cells (A549, HepG2, and MCF7). Mechanistic evidence revealed that intracellular reactive oxygen species production and glutathione reduction constituted oxidative stress that caused the anticancer response of ZrO2/RGO NCs. Apoptosis is also suggested by the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential in cancer cells after they have been exposed to as produced NCs. In addition, when compared to pure ZrO2 NPs, ZrO2/RGO NCs showed greater cytocompatibility in normal cell lines (IMR90 and MCF10A). This innovative method highlights the significance of plant-based synthesis of nanocomposites for biomedical research as being both environmentally benign and low-cost.

Automated summary

In this study, we synthesized Acacia nilotica (L.) fruit extract-green produced ZrO2/RGO nanocomposites (NCs) and investigated their anticancer properties. The results showed that ZrO2/RGO NCs were more effective than pure ZrO2 NPs in inhibiting the growth of different human cancer cells (A549, HepG2, and MCF7), while also exhibiting greater cytocompatibility in normal cell lines (IMR90 and MCF10A). Mechanistic evidence suggested that the anticancer response of ZrO2/RGO NCs was attributed to the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and the reduction of glutathione, leading to oxidative stress.