Mechanistic Study on Thymoquinone Conjugated ZnO Nanoparticles Mediated Cytotoxicity and Anticancer Activity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background: In the current era, the development of molecular techniques involves nano techniques, and the synthesis of nanoparticles is considered the preferred field in nanotechnology. Objective: The aim of the present work is to analyze the anticancer activity of the thymoquinone conjugated ZnO nanoparticles and understand its mechanism of action in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231. Methods: Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have extensive applications, and it was synthesized using a chemical precipitation method. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the major bioactive component of the seeds of Nigella sativa. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. Thymoquinone-coated nanoparticles were checked for their efficiency. The cytotoxicity of ZnO, TQ, and TQ conjugated ZnO nanoparticles against MDA-MB-231. Colony-forming and cell migration assays were performed to measure the proliferative competence of the breast cancer cells on exposure to nanoparticles. The mechanism of apoptosis was probed by assessing MMP, interplay between ER stress and ROS. Results: The results of the characterization techniques confirmed that the particles synthesized were ZnO and TQ-ZnO nanoparticles. pH dependent release of the compound was observed. The anti-proliferative effect that impairs the formation of the colony was found to be enhanced in cells exposed to combined treatment with the nanoconjugate. Conclusion: Hence, the TQ conjugated ZnO nanoparticles can act as an efficient carrier for drug delivery at the target site in TNBC cells.