Abstract

This study is aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) by Artemisia scoparia extract and explore their cytotoxic behavior against Huh-7 liver cancer cells. The green-synthesized ZnO NPs were investigated using UV–Vis, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, FESEM, EDX, DLS, and Zeta potential. The anti-cancer activity of ZnO NPs and plant extract against cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry. The expression of apoptotic genes was assessed by qPCR. The average size of the ZnO NPs was 9.00 ± 4.00 nm. The A. scoparia extract and spherical ZnO NPs both inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in Huh-7 cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values of ZnO NPs and extract were 10.26 and 310.24 µg/mL, respectively. The ZnO NPs also upregulated pro-apoptotic genes while downregulating anti-apoptotic genes. Considering the anti-cancer features of the ZnO NPs, it seems that the green-synthesized ZnO NPs have strong anti-cancer potential.

摘要

本研究旨在通过蒿属提取物合成氧化锌纳米颗粒（ZnO NPs），并探讨其对Huh-7肝癌细胞的细胞毒作用。使用 UV-Vis、FT-IR、XRD、TEM、FESEM、EDX、DLS 和 Zeta 电位研究了绿色合成的 ZnO NPs。通过 MTT 法和流式细胞术评估 ZnO NPs 和植物提取物对癌细胞的抗癌活性。通过qPCR评估凋亡基因的表达。ZnO NPs 的平均尺寸为 9.00 ± 4.00 nm。A. scoparia提取物和球形 ZnO NPs 均以时间和剂量依赖性方式抑制 Huh-7 癌细胞的细胞生长和诱导细胞凋亡。IC ₅₀ZnO NPs 和提取物的值分别为 10.26 和 310.24 µg/mL。ZnO NPs 还上调促凋亡基因，同时下调抗凋亡基因。考虑到 ZnO NPs 的抗癌特性，绿色合成的 ZnO NPs 似乎具有很强的抗癌潜力。