Anti-cancer effects of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using Artemisia scoparia in Huh-7 liver cancer cells

Abstract

This study is aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) by Artemisia scoparia extract and explore their cytotoxic behavior against Huh-7 liver cancer cells. The green-synthesized ZnO NPs were investigated using UV–Vis, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, FESEM, EDX, DLS, and Zeta potential. The anti-cancer activity of ZnO NPs and plant extract against cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry. The expression of apoptotic genes was assessed by qPCR. The average size of the ZnO NPs was 9.00 ± 4.00 nm. The A. scoparia extract and spherical ZnO NPs both inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in Huh-7 cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values of ZnO NPs and extract were 10.26 and 310.24 µg/mL, respectively. The ZnO NPs also upregulated pro-apoptotic genes while downregulating anti-apoptotic genes. Considering the anti-cancer features of the ZnO NPs, it seems that the green-synthesized ZnO NPs have strong anti-cancer potential.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Zinc oxide nanoparticles
• Artemisia scoparia
• Huh-7 cancer cells
• anti-cancer
• apoptosis

Acknowledgment

The authors appreciate the laboratory of Islamic Azad University.

Disclosure statement

There is no conflict of interest regarding this manuscript.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The research received no funding.