Cytotoxicity of phloroglucinol engineered silver (Ag) nanoparticles against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines

Highlights: • First report on the biosynthesis of phloroglucinol engineered silver (Ag) nanoparticles. • The as-prepared Ag nanoparticles are polydispersed, spherical shaped, crystalline in nature with a negative surface charge. • Phloroglucinol engineered Ag nanoparticles showed exemplary cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. In the present study, phloroglucinol engineered silver (Ag) nanoparticles were prepared by a simple and green method. The results from the study revealed that the Ag nanoparticles are polydispersed, spherical in shape, crystalline in nature and encompass negative surface charge. Furthermore, the presence of phenolic OH group of phloroglucinol plays a major role in the formation and stabilization of Ag nanoparticles. In addition, the cytotoxic properties of phloroglucinol engineered silver (Ag) nanoparticles were assessed against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Our results revealed that, Ag nanoparticles are effective in killing MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, the study is obvious in delivering a marine bioactive compound, phloroglucinol in the form of inorganic nanomaterials with cytotoxic property.