Synergistic Anticancer Activity of WO₃/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites: Structural, Optical, and Mechanistic Investigation

Omar, Noor K.; Ahmed, Duha S.; Abdul Hussien, Adi M.; Jabir, Majid S.

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.10.3817

Synergistic Anticancer Activity of WO₃/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites: Structural, Optical, and Mechanistic Investigation

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

College of Applied Sciences, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.

10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.10.3817

Abstract

Objective: To synthesize tungsten oxide (WO₃) and a WO₃/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite (1:0.5 molar ratio) and investigate their physicochemical properties and anticancer activity against human colon cancer (HT-29) cells. Methods: WO₃ and WO₃/GO (1:0.5) nanocomposites were synthesized using an ex situ hydrothermal method and characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, PL spectroscopy, zeta potential analysis, FESEM, and EDS. Anticancer activity was assessed using MTT cytotoxicity assays, AO/EtBr staining, apoptosis analysis, and ROS generation assays. Results: The incorporation of GO improved crystallinity, particle dispersion, and charge separation while reducing the optical band gap. The WO₃/GO nanocomposite exhibited the strongest inhibition of HT-29 cell proliferation compared with pristine WO₃ and GO. Enhanced anticancer activity was associated with increased cellular internalization, membrane disruption, and ROS generation. AO/EtBr staining and flow cytometry confirmed significant apoptosis induction, while ROS assays demonstrated elevated intracellular oxidative stress that may contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic cell death. Conclusion: The WO₃/GO nanocomposite (1:0.5) demonstrated enhanced ROS-mediated anticancer activity against HT-29 cells and represents a promising nanotherapeutic platform for colorectal cancer treatment.

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