In vitro anti-cancer activity of organic template-free hierarchical M (Cu, Ni)-modified ZSM-5 zeolites synthesized using silica source waste material

The present paper is focused on a simple and economical route to synthesize the organic template-free hierarchical pure and M (Cu, Ni)-modified ZSM-5 zeolites (1%, 3% and 5%) using hydrothermal treatment in the presence of silica rich rice husk ash and its application studies through the evaluation of their anti-cancer activity on A459 human lung epithelial cancer cell lines. The physical properties of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high resolution scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, N-2 adsorption/desorption techniques and thermogravimetric analysis respectively. These metals modified hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites showed considerable in-vitro anticancer efficiency towards human lung cancer (A549) cell lines through (3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) MTT assay. Among the all M (Cu, Ni)-modified ZSM-5 zeolites, 5% Cu-ZSM-5 zeolites showed higher potential cytotoxicity against A459 cell lines. The possible mechanism was explored from the fundamental signaling pathways of cell death by hierarchical metal modified ZSM-5 zeolites in A459 human lung epithelial cancer cell lines. Finally, our experimental results revealed that the organic template-free hierarchical pure and M (Cu, Ni)-modified ZSM-5 zeolites have significant anti-cancer mediating action by inducing oxidative stress to intercede DNA damage and can be considered as a potential applicant in the biomedical field.