Cytotoxicity of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles by Adansonia digitata fruit extract against HTC116 and SW480 human colon cancer cell lines

Nanoparticles synthesized from plants are being explored for cancer treatment therapies all over the world. This study reported the eco-friendly and low-cost method for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Adansonia digitata fruit as a reducing and capping agent. The anti-cancer potential of synthesized particles was explored against HTC116 and SW480 colon cancer cell lines. Prepared AgNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, zeta potential, transmission electronic microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and energy-dispersive spectrum. The cytotoxicity was determined with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and expression levels of four genes (CTNNB1, APC, LRP5, and LRP6) were checked by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The sharp peak of surface plasmon resonance at 400 nm confirms the formation of AgNPs. Dynamic light scattering showed average sizes of 16.34 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.193. A. digitata AgNPs were spherical with slight aggregated. AgNPs were more cytotoxic than A. digitata extract and decrease the expression of CTNNB1 and LRP6 genes while LRP5 gene expression was increased in both cell lines. APC gene expression was decreased in SW480 but increased in HTC116 with treatment. Overall, this study suggested that AgNPs synthesized by A. digitata fruit extract can be an attractive candidate for anticancer applications.