In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Green-Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Root Extract of Sida schimperiana against MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Hagos, Asmelash; Hagos, Zenebe; Tekluu, Berihu; Welderfael, Tesfay; Kumar A.D, Naveen; Konuku, Kamalakararao; K, Krishna Chaithanya

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1845

In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Green-Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Root Extract of Sida schimperiana against MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Aksum University, Axum, Ethiopia.

² Department of Biochemistry, University College of Science and Technology, Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, India.

³ School of Medicine, Texila American University, Lusaka, Zambia, Central Africa.

10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1845

Abstract

Objective: This work addressed the fact that nano phytoformulations have emerged as promising, biocompatible alternatives to conventional cancer drugs, helping to overcome drug resistance in cancer and offering sustainable, biocompatible, and effective drug delivery. This study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (SS-ZnO NPs) using an eco-friendly green synthesis method from Sida schimperiana aqueous root extract (SS-AQ), and to evaluate their selective cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Methods: The SS-ZnO NPs were characterized using spectroscopic (FTIR, XRD, DLS), microscopic (SEM, TEM), and chemical (EDX) analytical techniques. The selective cytotoxicity of SS-ZnO NPs against breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231) and normal cell lines (L929) was evaluated using the MTT assay. Results: XRD analysis confirmed that SS-ZnO NPs possess a crystalline, hexagonal wurtzite structure with an average size of 55.4 nm. DLS analysis indicated that the SS-ZnO NPs are monodispersed with a negative surface charge of –28.9 mV, suggesting high colloidal stability. SEM and TEM-EDX analyses revealed that the SS-ZnO NPs exhibit a pseudo-spherical, rough morphology with an average particle size of 22.65 nm. Strong absorption peaks at 1.01 keV and 0.52 keV were observed, corresponding to the characteristic signals of Zn and oxygen, respectively. The MTT assay demonstrated that SS-ZnO NPs exhibited significant, dose-dependent selective cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, with inhibition ranging from 10.14% to 62.44% at concentrations of 6.25–100 µg/mL, and an IC₅₀ value of 45.28 µg/mL (p ≤ 0.01). In comparison, SS-AQ exhibited 8.81% to 58.11% inhibition at the same concentration range, with an IC₅₀ of 50.16 µg/mL (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusion: The findings of the current study highlight that bio-inspired SS-ZnO NPs possess enhanced anticancer properties and can be considered a promising anticancer agent with potent, specific cytotoxic efficacy against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, offering a potential alternative nanotherapeutic approach with reduced toxicity.

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