Green synthesis of magnesium and cobalt oxide nanoparticles using Euphorbia tirucalli: Characterization and potential application for breast cancer inhibition

Abstract

The current study reports on the synthesis of magnesium oxide (MgONPs) and cobalt oxide (CoONPs) nanoparticles using the aerial parts of Euphorbia tirucalli and further characterizing and evaluating the anti-proliferative effect of the nanoparticles (NPs) on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The synthesized NPs were characterized using ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Anti-proliferative activity of E. tirucalli extracts and synthesized NPs was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)−2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Formation of the NPs was confirmed by a color change from brown to black (MgONPs) and pink (CoONPs), respectively. Two UV absorbance peaks were observed at 305 and 508 cm⁻¹ confirming the formation of CoONPs. Traces of cobalt and oxygen as well as magnesium and oxygen were detected by EDS. The NPs sizes ranging between 1 µm and 100 nm was confirmed by TEM for both NPs. The hexane (Hex) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of E. tirucalli exhibited cell growth inhibition of MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 10 µg/ml; while CoONPs showed increased cell growth inhibition with an IC₅₀ values <10 µg/ml compared to the crude extracts. The current study contributes to green approach and biomedical application of CoONPs in the development of anti-proliferative agents for cancer.

Keywords:

• Euphorbia tirucalli
• magnesium oxide nanoparticles
• cobalt oxide nanoparticles
• anti-proliferation
• breast cancer MCF-7

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the Center for Microscopy UFS, Flow Process and DR Sone (Rheology center) and Dr Nolubabalo (iTHEMBA LABS) for the spectral analyses, and for providing the facility for the characterization of magnesium and cobalt oxide nanoparticles. The current study was financially supported by the NRF [grant numbers 105946 and 108456], and the Innovation Fund from the Central University of Technology, Free State.

Additional information

Funding

National Research Foundation; Central Universty of Technology.