Cytotoxic effect, apoptotic activity, hematological and histological alterations induced by green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles applying Hyssopus officinalis leaves

Abstract

The synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) provides interesting biological characteristics and therapeutic applications in a particular method, which evolve the versatile platform for the essential development of the new anticancer agents. Cytotoxic effect of ZnO-NPs was evaluated by MTT assay on A549 cell line. Besides, the anti-apoptotic effects of ZnO-NPs were investigated using fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry techniques. Histological assessment was carried out using H&E staining. Finally, complete blood count and hematological factors were analyzed on RBC, platelets, and WBC. Obtained data showed the slight cellular viability (IC₅₀ = 37.2 after 24 h) and increased sub-G1 cell cycle arrest of A549 lung carcinoma cells under ZnO-NPs exposure, indicate the significant dose-dependent and time-dependent cytotoxic effects. In vivo analysis demonstrated raise level of MCH, RBC, and WBC count. ZnO-NPs have the sufficient potential used to be as a safe efficient apoptotic inducer especially in lung cancer therapy.

Keywords:

• Zinc oxide nanoparticles
• lung cancer
• green synthesis
• A549 cell line
• apoptosis

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the staff of the Qa’em Hospital’s pathology laboratory to cooperate in this research.

Disclosure statement

The authors clarify no conflict of interest in the represented article.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.