Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles having specific anticancer activity against MDA-MB 468 carcinoma cells

In this work formation of silver nanoparticles using pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum) extract and its bio applications were studied. Gradual appearance of a peak at 422 nm during the reduction of AgNO₃ by the fruit extract confirmed the formation of AgNPs. FTIR spectra indicated the details of formation mechanism. Images obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that the sample contains spherical AgNPs and XRD analysis showed its (FCC) crystal structure. This study also revealed that the synthesised AgNPs were monocrystalline in nature. Application of these AgNPs were studied measuring their affinity to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA). Cytotoxicity of the synthesised AgNPs was determined by DAPI staining. The results showed that the nanoparticles have significant anticancer activity against triple negative breast carcinoma and MDA-MB-468 cells. We concluded that the cell death was routed through apoptotic pathway. (paper)