Plant-derived synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles: Investigation of its antioxidant and anticancer activity against human testicular embryonic carcinoma stem cells

In this unprecedented study, the anticancer properties of gold nanoparticles synthesized using Achillea biebersteinii flower extractwere investigated. Nanoparticle synthesis using herbal extracts is low-cost and can, therefore, serve as an economically viable alternative for large-scale nanoparticle production. The smallest nanoparticles were spherical within a range of 2-30 nm (with an average of 8 nm). The gold nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectrophotometry, x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The gold nanoparticles displayed great antioxidant potential similar to the positive control. Their cytotoxic effects on human testicular embryonic carcinoma stem cells were assessed using the MTT assay and acridine orange/propidium iodide. The nanoparticles demonstrated dose-dependent cell viability against cancer cells, and the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were 10 mu g/mL. The expression of Bax, Bcl2, caspase-3, caspase-9, p53, and HSPA2 genes was evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis to further confirm that gold nanoparticles induced apoptosis. The cytotoxicity analysis results indicated that the gold nanoparticles were toxic for NTERA-2 cells. These positive outcomes can contribute to the rational design of novel anticancer agents.