Anticancer Activity of Zinc Nanoparticles Made using Terpenoids from Aqueous Leaf Extract of Andrographis Paniculata

Abstract

In recent years, the evolution of green chemistry in the production of nanoparticles has wrapped up an immense consideration because traces of chemicals left unreacted in the chemical synthesis process can be precarious. Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles is an interesting issue of the nanoscience and nanobiotechnology. There is a growing attention to biosynthesis the metal nanoparticles using organisms. Among these organisms, plants seem to be the best candidate and they are suitable for large scale biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles produced by plants are more stable, and the rate of synthesis is faster than that in the case of other organisms. Natural products, especially of plant origin, represent an excellent starting point for research. In traditional medicine there are also several plants that are used to treat many diseases. Therefore, a competent protocol for the production of Zn- NPs without calcinations was developed by green synthesis method using one of the major constituents, terpenoids from aqueous leaf extracts of Andrographis paniculata. Among the single compounds extracted from Andrographis paniculata, andrographolide is the major one in terms of bioactive properties and abundance. The anticancer activities of Zn-TAP NPs have been evaluated in cancer models such as HeLa, Hep-2 cells and were examined in different concentrations by MTT assay method. The Zn-TAP NPs showed a maximum activity against HeLa (human cervical cancer cells) and Hep-2 (human liver cancer cells) with maximal inhibition of 59% and 63% at 250 µg/ml, respectively. This approach offers environmentally beneficial alternatives to more hazardous chemicals and processes and promotes pollution prevention by the production of nanoparticle in their natural environs.