Biosynthesis of Strontium nanoparticles using Acacia Nilotica and its anti-cancer activity against lung cancer cell line
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Abstract
Background: Acacia nilotica, also popularly known as gum arabic tree, Egyptian acacia or thorny acacia,is a flowering tree in the family Fabaceae. It is native to Africa. This plant has antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial and antioxidant activity and is used for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus and cancer. Lung cancer begins in the lungs and most often occurs in people who smoke. Causes of lung cancer include smoking, second-hand smoke, exposure to certain toxins and family history.
Aim of the Study: To evaluate the anticancer effect of Acacia nilotica Strontium nanoparticles (AN S-NPs) on lung cancer.
Materials and methods: The cytotoxic effect of AN S-NPs was assessed by an MTT assay. The A-549 cells were treated with different concentrations of Acacia nilotica S-NPs (25-150μg) for 24 h. Analysis of changes in the cell morphology is examined by phase contrast microscope. For the nuclear morphological changes analysis, DAPI staining was used in lung cancer cells. The apoptotic nuclei were viewed under a fluorescent microscope.
Results: In our study, Acacia nilotica S-NPs treated cells showed significant reduction of cell viability in lung cancer cells. 50% of the inhibition was observed in a 75μg/ml concentration, which has been taken as the inhibitory concentration (IC-50) which was used for further analyses. The pro-apoptotic effect of Acacia nilotica S-NPs in A549 cell line was determined by AO/EtBr dual staining under a fluorescence microscope. Acacia nilotica S-NPs treatment alters the nuclear morphology and condensed nuclei in lung cancer cells at 75μg/ml concentration.
Conclusion: Overall, it can be concluded that it presents Acacia nilotica S-NPs anticancer activity at 75μg/ml concentration at 24 hrs against the lung cancer cell line. However, further research is warranted to find out the molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity of effect this plant extract against lung cancer.