Biofabrication And Antitumor Activity Of Silver Nanoparticles Utilizing Novel Nostoc sp. Bahar M

Abstract

Background

Over recent years, green chemistry procedures have been developed to synthesize nanoparticles in eco-friendlier and less expensive ways. These procedures use natural sources such as bacteria, fungi, yeast, plants, actinomycetes, algae, or cyanobacteria, or use biomolecules such as proteins, vitamins, or pigments instead of chemical materials to fabricate salt precursors into nanoparticles.

Methodology

In the current investigation, we developed an effective, inexpensive, nontoxic method to synthesize silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using the cellular extract of a novel strain of cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp. Bahar M. SNPs were characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The antitumor properties of the biogenic SNPs were tested against Caco-2 cells using a cell proliferation assay and inverted light microscopy.

Results

The new strain Nostoc sp. Bahar M was able to fabricate small SNPs from silver nitrate through an eco-friendly and inexpensive biosynthesis process. SNPs synthesis was accompanied by a color transformation from pale yellow to dark brown. Ultraviolet spectroscopy showed an absorption peak at 403 nm, confirming SNPs formation. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the SNPs had a face-centered cubic crystalline structure. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify a protein that may play an important role in SNPs biosynthesis. Scanning and transmission electron micrographs showed that the SNPs were uniformly distributed and spherical in shape, with an average diameter of 14.9 nm. Cytotoxicity assays showed that SNPs exhibited a significant dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against human colon cancer cells with an IC₅₀ of 150 μg/mL.

Conclusion

Nostoc sp. Bahar M provided an eco-friendly route for fabricating SNPs, which have cytotoxic activity toward Caco-2 cells.

Keywords:

• cyanobacteria
• nanotechnology
• eco-friendly
• Caco-2 cells
• cytotoxic activity

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University through the Fast-track Research Funding Program.

Ethics Approval And Informed Consent

The current study followed the Research Ethical Committee guidelines published by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Ministry of Health and Population in Egypt. The Department of Zoology (Science Faculty, Alexandria University) and the Department of Cancer Management and Research (Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University) granted permission for this work.

Abbreviations

NPs, Nanoparticles; SNPs, Silver nanoparticles; AgNO₃, Silver nitrate; PCR, Polymerase chain reaction; nm, Nanometer; min, Minute; µL, Microliter; mg, Milligram; mL, Milliliter; µg, Microgram; mM, Millimolar; h, Hour; cm^−1, Inverse centimeter; rpm, Revolutions per minute; SEM, Scanning electron microscope; TEM, Transmission electron microscope; DLS, Dynamic light scattering; FTIR, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy; XRD, X-ray diffraction; kV, Kilovolt; kb, Kilobase; SPR, Surface plasmon resonance; ELISA, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; UV-vis, Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.

Data Availability

The data supporting this article are available in Figures 1–10. The data sets analyzed in the present study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed to data analysis and drafting or revising the article. All authors gave final approval of the published article and are accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

This research was included in a request for patent 119410021 from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, submitted 5/9/2019, titled ''Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles as anticancer agents'' Patents.kacst.edu.sa. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.