Biosynthesized composites of Au-Ag nanoparticles using Trapa peel extract induced ROS-mediated p53 independent apoptosis in cancer cells

Abstract

The current study highlights rapid, sustainable, and cost-effective biosynthesis of silver (Ag), gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs), and bimetallic Au-AgNPs composites using bio-waste extract of Trapa natans. Growth of the NPs was monitored spectrophotometrically and peak was observed at ∼525 nm, ∼450 nm, and ∼495 nm corresponding to Plasmon absorbance of AuNPs, AgNPs, and Au-AgNPs, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the size of AgNPs (∼15 nm), AuNPs (∼25 nm), and Au-AgNPs (∼26–90 nm). Synthesized NPs follow the Gaussian bell curve and its crystalline nature was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, Au-AgNPs induced cytotoxicity in various cancer cells (HCT116, MDA-MB-231, and HeLa) effectively at 200 μg/mL. Au-AgNPs-exposed cancer cells exhibited apoptotic features such as nuclear condensation, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and cleavage of casp-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP). Au-AgNPs exposure enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upon inhibition of ROS, apoptosis was reduced effectively. NPs treatment killed HCT116 WT and p53 knockout cells without any significant difference. Mechanistically, Au-AgNPs derived with Trapa peel extract significantly enhance ROS which trigger p53-independent apoptosis in various cancer cells effectively. Our study explores the use of bio-waste for the green synthesis of NPs, which can be attractive candidates for cancer therapy.

Keywords:

• Trapa
• Au-Ag nanoparticles
• green-synthesis
• bio-waste
• apoptosis
• p53

Acknowledgments

N. Ahmad and S. Sharma acknowledge University Grant Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India under major research project scheme for financial support. Author D. K. Sharma acknowledges Svaagata, Erasmus Mundus program of the European Union. Author I. Khan acknowledges Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal (SFRH/BPD/76850/2011). Author M. Seervi acknowledges Prof. Bert Vogelstein (John Hopkins University, USA) for providing HCT116wt cell and its p53 knockout version.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by DBT-PU-IPLS program (Sanction Number- BT/PR4577/INF/22/149/2012) and DST-SERB (YSS/2015/000755) Young Scientist Research Grant granted to M. Seervi, funded by Department of Biotechnology and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India respectively.