Background:
The study addresses the underexplored realm of cytotoxicity evaluation
involving binary mixtures of Passiflora caerulea leaf extracts and Titanium nanoparticles
(TiO2NPs). The focus lies on understanding the combined effects of these components on cancer
cells (A549, U937, and HeLa).
Methods:
In vitro cytotoxicity assessments were employed to evaluate the toxicity of P. caerulea
leaf extracts, TiO2NPs, and their combination. The study utilized MTT, NRU, and LDH assays to
measure cellular viability. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione levels
were assessed alongside the aforementioned assays.
Results:
The toxicity percentage exhibited dose-dependent behavior for P. caerulea leaf extracts,
TiO2NPs, and their combination. Interestingly, when P. caerulea leaf extract and TiO2NPs were
combined, the reduction in cell viability was noticeably more than when the exposures were made
separately. Moreover, the production of ROS was higher in the combined toxicity scenario, and a
more pronounced decrease in glutathione levels was observed compared to individual exposures.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that the combined effects of P. caerulea leaf extract and
TiO2NPs induce greater cytotoxicity compared to their impacts. This underscores the potential for
synergistic cytotoxicity in combined exposure scenarios, warranting further exploration of combined
effects in future studies.