Evaluation of cytotoxic and cellular effects of zinc nanoparticles from Saccharum officinarum (Jaggery) extract on breast cancer cells.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with limited targeted treatment options, making it difficult to manage effectively. This study investigates the anticancer potential of eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles (SO-ZnO NPs), synthesized using Saccharum officinarum (jaggery) extract, against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The NPs were characterized by various techniques, confirming their spherical morphology, a primary particle size of 20-50 nm, aggregation into larger clusters (100-250 nm), and a moderately positive surface charge. The composition was predominantly zinc (96.1%), oxygen (2.3%), and carbon (1.59%), attributed to bioorganic capping agents. SO-ZnO NPs showed significant anticancer effects, with an IC50 of 125.00 ± 2.60 µg/mL, indicating potent cytotoxicity above this concentration. They also suppressed key inflammatory markers (IL-6 secretion and mRNA expression) and inhibited the proliferation of cancer stem cells. Notably, SO-ZnO NPs downregulated stemness markers (NANOG, OCT4, CD44) and disrupted mammosphere formation, suggesting a potential to target cancer stem cell self-renewal and modulate the tumor microenvironment. These findings underline the therapeutic potential of SO-ZnO NPs in treating TNBC, though further in vivo studies are necessary to evaluate their safety and clinical effectiveness.