Biosynthesized bimetallic nanoparticles containing CeO₂ and ZnO exert shape and size dependent anticancer effects

Bimetallic nanoparticles contain attractive properties because they show simultaneously two metals atom functions. ZnO and CeO₂ nanoparticles exhibited biocompatibility and anticancer activity properties. Therefore, we studied the anticancer effect of bimetallic nanoparticles containing ZnO and CeO₂ derived from walnut shell powder on colorectal and breast cancer cells. The ZnCeO₃, CeO₂@ZnO, and ZnO@CeO₂ NPs were synthesized from walnut shell powder and characterized and then their anticancer effects were evaluated. UV-visible spectrometry showed the peak absorbance near to361 nm. FESEM analysis determined the size of The ZnCeO₃, CeO₂@ZnO, and ZnO@CeO₂ NPs (29, 26, and 22 nm, respectively). DPPH test showed that the nanoparticles had no profound antioxidant activity. MTT data illuminated the NPs time and dose dependent cytotoxic effects on HCT-116, MCF-7, and HUVEC cell lines. The ZnO@CeO₂ NPs showed lesser cytotoxic effect toward normal cells (IC₅₀ = 487.3 µg/mL). AO staining and Annexin/PI test showed apoptosis induction by the nanoparticles. The real-time PCR results determined that ZnO@CeO₂ NPs caused elevation in Bax and p53 genes expression. Based on the results, ZnO@CeO₂ NPs showed shape and size dependent cytotoxic effect on the cancer cells by elevating apoptotic genes expression. Accordingly, the NPs can be considered as a good anticancer agent to treat colorectal and breast cancer cell lines.