Antitumor Potential of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Punica granatum Extracts

Abstract

Green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained considerable interest because of their potential applicability in numerous fields, including biomedicine. This study proposed a green, rapid, and effective synthesis of AgNPs using Punica granatum extracts and sunlight for effective breast cancer treatment. Phytochemical analysis of Punica granatum extracts confirmed the existence of phyto-compounds, which are responsible for coating and stabilizing the AgNPs. The optimization study suggested that rapid synthesis of AgNPs can be accomplished using sunlight. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed bio-compounds deposition in P. granatum extracts on the AgNPs. The results showed that the biosynthesized AgNPs were highly stable at −27 mV and spherical in sizes from 13 to 37 nm. The anticancer activity evaluation results demonstrated that the AgNPs using P. granatum under sunlight possess significant antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities in breast cancer cells. The apoptotic properties of AgNPs using P. granatum leaves (AgNPs-PL) were assessed by morphological observations, DAPI staining, DNA fragmentation assay, and flow cytometry. The results show the potential therapeutic value of the biosynthesized AgNPs for further development as anticancer drugs.