Enhanced Anticancer Performance of Eco-Friendly-Prepared Mo-ZnO/RGO Nanocomposites: Role of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis

Abstract

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted great attention in cancer therapy because of their novel and tailorable physicochemical features. Pure ZnO NPs, molybdenum (Mo)-doped ZnO NPs, and Mo-ZnO/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs) were prepared using a facile, inexpensive, and eco-friendly approach using date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit extract. Anticancer efficacy of green synthesized NPs/NCs was examined in two different cancer cells. The potential mechanism of the anticancer activity of green synthesized NPs/NCs was explored through oxidative stress and apoptosis. The syntheses of pure ZnO NPs, Mo-ZnO NPs, and Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and photoluminescence (PL). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) study indicated the excellent colloidal stability of green prepared samples. Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs exhibited threefold higher anticancer activity in human colon (HCT116) and breast (MCF7) cancer cells as compared to pure ZnO NPs. The anticancer activity of Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs was mediated through reactive oxygen species, p53, and the caspase-3 pathway. Moreover, cytocompatibility of Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs in human normal colon epithelial (NCM460) and normal breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) was much better than those of pure ZnO NPs. Altogether, green stabilized Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs exhibited enhanced anticancer performance and improved cytocompatibility because of green mediated good synergism between ZnO, Mo, and RGO. This study suggested the high nutritional value fruit-based facile preparation of ZnO-based nanocomposites for cancer therapy.

Investigation of Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Induced by the Pyrethroid Bioallethrin in Human Glioblastoma Cells: The Protective Effect of Vitamin E (VE) and Its Underlying Mechanism

“…Cancer nanotechnology has been shown to attract great attention in cancer therapy because of their novel and tailorable physicochemical features. − A growing number of studies demonstrated that certain types of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) or nanocomposites (NCs) can selectively kill cancer cells with low toxicity to their normal counterparts. − It has been shown that the cytotoxic mechanisms of molybdenum–zinc oxide/reduced graphene oxide (Mo–ZnO/RGO) NCs, stannic oxide (SnO 2 )-ZnO/RGO NCs, bismuth oxide (Bi 2 O 3 ) NPs, or silica oxide (SiO 2 ) NPs were mediated through an oxidative stress-associated apoptotic pathway in various cancer cell models. − Furthermore, titanium oxide (TiO 2 ) NPs were reported to prevent oxidative damage induced by lead (Pb) in human lung epithelial cells . Therefore, it suggests that the application of nanotechnology can improve the selective cytotoxicity of bioallethrin in different glia models by tailoring its physicochemical properties.…”

CeO2-Zn Nanocomposite Induced Superoxide, Autophagy and a Non-Apoptotic Mode of Cell Death in Human Umbilical-Vein-Derived Endothelial (HUVE) Cells

“…Importantly, this nanocomposite (Ag-rGO) turned out to be less toxic in normal breast (MCF-10A cells) and normal lung fibroblasts (IMR-90 cells) suggesting nanocomposite crafting might be used as an alternative in generating a nanostructure with novel anticancer potential from existing NPs that are not exhibiting anticancer potential [ 51 ]. Again, the nanocomposite of molybdenum/zinc oxide/rGO (Mo/ZnO/rGO) was found to be 3 times more highly efficient than ZnO NPs in bringing the demise of human colon cancer HCT116 cells and breast MCF7 cancer cells [ 52 ]. Moreover, biocompatibility of Mo/ZnO/rGO nanocomposites in human normal colon epithelial NCM460 cells and normal breast epithelial MCF10A cells was much better than those of pure ZnO NPs.…”

“…Moreover, biocompatibility of Mo/ZnO/rGO nanocomposites in human normal colon epithelial NCM460 cells and normal breast epithelial MCF10A cells was much better than those of pure ZnO NPs. These nanocomposites provide opportunity for exploration on grounds of efficient anticancer activity as well as safety potential in normal cells [ 52 ]. In this study, the nanocomposite induced less toxicity than toxic NPs of ZnO, a finding which is in accordance with CeO 2 -based nanocomposites as discussed above.…”

One-Pot Synthesis of SnO2-rGO Nanocomposite for Enhanced Photocatalytic and Anticancer Activity

“…Hepatocellular carcinoma is the second leading cause of death after lung cancer, globally [ 1 ]. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there were approximately 19 million new cancer cases and approximately 10 million deaths from cancer worldwide in 2020 [ 2 ]. There are several ways, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, to treat cancer.…”