Mikania micrantha silver nanoparticles exhibit anticancer activities against human lung adenocarcinoma via caspase-mediated apoptotic cell death

Abstract

Green-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles has earned a promising role in the area of nanotechnology due to their biomedical applications. This study describes the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Mikania micrantha leaf extract and its functional activities against cancer. The synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrum that exhibited an absorption band at 459 nm. The bioactive compounds of M. micrantha leaf extract that functioned as reducing and capping agents were confirmed by a shift in the absorption bands in Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies validated the spherical shape and size of AgNPs, respectively. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed the presence of elemental silver. The crystalline nature of AgNPs was confirmed by the X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD). AgNPs effectively induced cytotoxicity and prevented A549 cell colony formation in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of A549 cells with AgNPs also increased DNA damage, which was coupled with elevated lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione (GSH), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Following AgNPs treatment, the mRNA expression levels of the pro-apoptotic genes as well as the activities of caspases were significantly elevated in A549 cells while the expression levels of anti-apoptotic genes were downregulated. Our study demonstrates the potential of the synthesised AgNPs for cancer therapy possibly targeting the apoptotic pathway.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Silver nanoparticles
• Mikania micrantha
• anticancer
• apoptosis
• A549 cells

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the University Grant Commission, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, for providing fellowship to Fanai Lalsangpuii (201920-NFST-MIZ-02751). The authors also thank the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, for providing Inspire fellowship to Fanai Nghakliana (DST/INSPIRE Fellowship/[IF190903]). The authors thanks Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi, Government of India sponsored Advanced Level State Biotech Hub (BT/NER/143/SP44475/2021) at Mizoram University for the equipment’s and Infrastructure supports.

Authors’ contributions

FL: Investigation, Formal analysis and Writing – Original Draft. SLR: Analysis of data related to characterisations of silver nanoparticles, Review and Editing of manuscript. FN: Investigation, Data analysis and preparation of first draft of the manuscript. JVLR: Analysis of data related to characterisations of silver nanoparticles. LT: Formal analysis, Review and Editing of final manuscript. AKT: Investigation and formal analysis. RL: Supervision, Data analysis, Review and Editing of final manuscript. ZS: Conceptualisation, Investigation, Data analysis, Supervision, Writing – Review and Editing. The published version of the manuscript has been read and approved by all authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The article contains all the data necessary to understand the conclusions of this investigation.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.