Zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) have emerged as significant products in nanotechnology, serving as promising candidates for cancer research.
Objectives
In this study, Artemisia scoparia (A. scoparia) extract was utilized to synthesize biogenic ZnNPs and evaluate their inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and K-Ras gene expression in the A549 cell line.
Methods
Biogenic ZnNPs were synthesized using the leaf extract of A. scoparia. The synthesized ZnNPs were characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The cytotoxic effects of the ZnNPs on the A549 cell line were assessed using the MTT assay after 24 h of treatment. K-Ras gene expression relative to β-actin was analyzed using real-time PCR.
Results
The particle size of the ZnNPs ranged from 62 to 103 nm. Cytotoxicity results revealed a dose-dependent reduction in the viability of A549 cells after 24 h treatment with A. scoparia extract and ZnNPs synthesized with the extract. The Half Maximal Inhibitory Concentration value (IC50) for the ZnNPs was calculated as 10.26 µg/mL compared to the control group (p < 0.005). After 24 h of treatment, K-Ras gene expression decreased by 0.6-fold (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The findings indicate that the synthesized ZnNPs exhibit cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on A549 lung cancer cells.
Bin ThaniAHazeemKMJAliAEA. The antimicrobial activity of single and combined nanoparticles on bacterial growth. J Cell Biotechnol2025; 12: 3−9.
2.
BaydaSAdeelMTuccinardiT, et al.The history of nanoscience and nanotechnology: from chemical–physical applications to nanomedicine. Molecules2019; 25: 112. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25010112
3.
YadavSKLalSYadavS, et al.Use of nanotechnology in agri-food sectors and apprehensions: an overview. Seed Res2019; 47: 99–149.
4.
JampilekJKosJKralovaK. Potential of nanomaterial applications in dietary supplements and foods for special medical purposes. Nanomaterials2019; 9: 296. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9020296
5.
SoloukiNMohammadi-GollouASaghaM, et al.Origanum vulgare extract induces apoptosis in Molt-4 leukemic cell line. J Cell Biotechnol2021; 6: 105–112. https://doi.org/10.3233/jcb-200026
DingJWangLHeC, et al.Artemisia scoparia: traditional uses, active constituents and pharmacological effects. J Ethnopharmacol2021; 273: 113960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.113960
RafiqiUNGulISaifiM, et al.Cloning, identification, and in silico analysis of terpene synthases involved in the competing pathways of artemisinin biosynthesis pathway in Artemisia annua L. Pharmacogn Mag2019; 15: 38.
10.
BhatRRRehmanMUShabirA, et al.Chemical composition and biological uses of Artemisia absinthium (wormwood): pharmacology and therapeutic uses. In: Plant and Human Health, Volume 3. Springer, 2019, pp. 37–63.
11.
ElegbedeJALateefA. Green nanotechnology in Nigeria: the research landscape, challenges and prospects. Ann Sci Technol2019; 4: 6–38. https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2019-0008
12.
KirubakaranDWahidJBAKarmegamN, et al.A comprehensive review on the green synthesis of nanoparticles: advancements in biomedical and environmental applications. Biomed Mater Devices2025; 4: 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44174-025-00295-4
13.
BarabadiHOvaisMShinwariZK, et al.Anti-cancer green bionanomaterials: present status and future prospects. Green Chem Lett Rev2017; 10: 285–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518253.2017.1385856
14.
SalemSSFoudaA. Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles and their prospective biotechnological applications: an overview. Biol Trace Elem Res2021; 199: 344–370. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-020-02138-3
15.
DikshitPKKumarJDasAK, et al.Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles: applications and limitations. Catalysts2021; 11: 902. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080902
16.
BahrulolumHNooraeiSJavanshirN, et al.Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using microorganisms and their application in the agrifood sector. J Nanobiotechnol2021; 19: 86. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-021-00834-3
17.
KavousiMDelfaniA. Solanum pseudo-capsicum effects on Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression and apoptosis in MCF-7 cell line. Genetika2023; 55(2): 523–536. https://doi.org/10.2298/gensr2302523k
18.
TodariaMMaityDAwasthiR. Biogenic metallic nanoparticles as game-changers in targeted cancer therapy: recent innovations and prospects. Future J Pharmaceut Sci2024; 10: 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-024-00601-9
19.
MosmannT. Rapid colorimetric assay for cellular growth and survival: application to proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. J Immunol Methods1983; 65(1-2): 55–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1759(83)90303-4
20.
PandiAMamoGGetachewD, et al.A brief review on lung cancer. Int J Pharma Res Health Sci2016; 4: 907–914.
ZhangYWangHWangJ, et al.Global analysis of chromosome 1 genes among patients with lung adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma, large-cell carcinoma, small-cell carcinoma, or non-cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev2015; 34: 249–264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-015-9558-0
TimarJKashoferK. Molecular epidemiology and diagnostics of KRAS mutations in human cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev2020; 39: 1029–1038. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-020-09915-5
FerreiraAPereiraFReisC, et al.Crucial role of oncogenic KRAS mutations in apoptosis and autophagy regulation: therapeutic implications. Cells2022; 11: 2183. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11142183
27.
PassigliaFMalapelleUDel ReM, et al.KRAS inhibition in non–small cell lung cancer: past failures, new findings and upcoming challenges. Eur J Cancer2020; 137: 57–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2020.06.023
TantrayJPatelAParveenH, et al.Nanotechnology-based biomedical devices in the cancer diagnostics and therapy. Med Oncol2025; 42: 50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-025-02602-x
31.
KarmousIPandeyAHajKB, et al.Efficiency of the green synthesized nanoparticles as new tools in cancer therapy: insights on plant-based bioengineered nanoparticles, biophysical properties, and anticancer roles. Biol Trace Elem Res2020; 196: 330–342. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01895-0
32.
AldayelMF. Enhancement of the bioactive compound content and antibacterial activities in Curcuma longa using ZnO NPss. Molecules2023; 28: 4935. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28134935
33.
KashyapVKPeasah-DarkwahGDhasmanaA, et al.Withania somnifera: progress towards a pharmaceutical agent for immunomodulation and cancer therapeutics. Pharmaceutics2022; 14: 611. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14030611
34.
KarnwalAJassimAYMohammedAA, et al.Nanotechnology for healthcare: plant-derived nanoparticles in disease treatment and regenerative medicine. Pharmaceuticals2024; 17: 1711. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17121711
35.
PerumalsamyHBalusamySRSukweenadhiJ, et al.A comprehensive review on Moringa oleifera nanoparticles: importance of polyphenols in nanoparticle synthesis, nanoparticle efficacy and their applications. J Nanobiotechnol2024; 22: 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-024-02332-8
36.
VijayaraghavanKAshokkumarT. Plant-mediated biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles: a review of literature, factors affecting synthesis, characterization techniques and applications. J Environ Chem Eng2017; 4883: 4865.
37.
SaifiMAKhanWGoduguC. Cytotoxicity of nanomaterials: using nanotoxicology to address the safety concerns of nanoparticles. Pharm Nanotechnol2018; 6: 3–16. https://doi.org/10.2174/2211738505666171023152928
38.
LiuHZhuXWeiY, et al.Recent advances in targeted gene silencing and cancer therapy by nanoparticle-based delivery systems. Biomed Pharmacother2023; 157: 11140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114065
39.
KanipandianNLiDKannanS. Induction of intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway in A549 lung cancer cells using silver nanoparticles from Gossypium hirsutum and evaluation of in vivo toxicity. Biotechnol Rep2019; 23: e00339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.btre.2019.e00339
40.
SathishkumarMPavagadhiSMahadevanA, et al.Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles and related cytotoxicity evaluation using A549 cells. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf2015; 114: 232–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.03.020
