Study the inhibition impact of Folic acid-Bi2O3-MgO NPs on HCT116 colorectal cancer cells by inducing cytotoxic, cell migration and antioxidant assay.

BACKGROUND

Progresses in nanotechnology have remarkably contributed to the evaluation of improved strategies for cancer therapy.

METHODS

Herein, magnesium oxide-bismuth oxide (Bi2O3-MgO) and folic acid-modified magnesium oxide-bismuth oxide nanoparticles (FA-Bi2O3-MgO NPs) were synthesized through Ferula assa foetida extract as a green reducing agent. The prepared nanomaterials were identified using various analytical techniques, containing powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Zeta potential, and UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The biological activity of the synthesized materials was evaluated using HCT116 colorectal cancer cells.

RESULTS

PXRD analysis revealed that the average crystallite sizes were approximately 43.42 nm for Bi2O3-MgO and 57.90 nm for FA-Bi2O3-MgO NPs, indicating that the presence of folic acid contributed to an increase in particle size. Moreover, the presence of folic acid altered the structural appearance of Bi2O3-MgO NPs, changing their shape from a plate-like to a rod-shaped, with approximately 300-500 nm in length with a diameter around 50-60 nm in FA-Bi2O3-MgO NPs. The zeta potential findings showed a value of -27.9 mV for FA-Bi2O3-MgO NPs, which, compared to the Bi2O3-MgO NPs (-4.3 mV), this indicates an improvement in the colloidal stability of Bi2O3-MgO NPs. Cytotoxicity results indicated a significant decrease in the viability of HCT116 cells treated with FA-Bi2O3-MgO NPs after 24 h, indicating enhanced cytotoxicity potency after folic acid functionalization. FA-Bi2O3-MgO NPs were able to effectively inhibit metastatic behavior in HCT116 cells through significant suppression of cell migration. FA-Bi2O3-MgO NPs showed significant induction of apoptosis, causing 32.18% of cells to undergo apoptosis. Collectively, these in vitro findings demonstrate that FA-Bi2O3-MgO NPs are able to affect important HCT116 cell functions, including suppression of cell migration and activation of apoptotic pathways.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the results indicate that FA-Bi2O3-MgO NPs may serve as promising candidates for therapeutic applications in colon cancer management.