Biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles using extracts from Citrullus colocynthis and their anticancer activity.

BACKGROUND

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extract has emerged as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical methods, offering potential biomedical applications, particularly in cancer therapy.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to synthesize AgNPs from extracts of Citrullus colocynthis leaves, stems and seeds and to evaluate their cytotoxic effects against selected cancer cell lines.

METHODS

AgNPs were biosynthesized using plant extract and characterized using standard analytic techniques. The cytotoxic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was assessed against A549, HCT116 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines.

RESULTS

the biosynthesis of AgNPs demonstrated significant anti-cancer activity, with leaf-derived AgNPs showing the strongest cytotoxic effect. Notably, to our knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate leave-derived AgNPs against A549 cells.

CONCLUSION

the findings highlight a novel, targeted and environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing AgNPs with promising anti-cancer potential while eliminating the use of toxic chemical agents.