Characterization and anticancer activity of green-synthesized and highly stable ginger-derived silver nanoparticles:
Mai M Elghaznawy1, Rana R El Sadda1, Entsar A Saad2
1Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta, New-Damietta, 34517, Egypt.
Abstract:
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a common spice with therapeutic potential due to its bioactive compounds and was used for the green synthesis of ginger-derived silver nanoparticles (G-AgNPs). The cytotoxic, antioxidant, and pro-apoptotic effects of the synthesized G-AgNPs were evaluated against HepG-2, MCF-7, and WI-38 cell lines. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 36 phytochemicals, with major components including α-zingiberene (37.88%), β-sesquiphellandrene (15.65%), 6-gingerol (10.68%), α-farnesene (8.04%), β-bisabolene (7.83%), α-curcumene (6.96%), 8-gingerol (0.96%), and 6-shogaol (0.95%). Characterization of G-AgNPs using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), zeta-potential analysis (- 46.17 ± 1.42 mV), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 10.44 nm. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated greater inhibition of HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell viability than of WI-38 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 1.20 ± 0.03 µM (4.51 ± 0.11 µg/mL) and 1.49 ± 0.05 µM (5.60 ± 0.19 µg/mL), respectively, compared with 2.49 ± 0.07 µM for WI-38 cells. Treatment with G-AgNPs significantly increased caspase-3-associated protein levels in both HepG-2 (13.81 ± 0.35 ng/mg protein) and MCF-7 (42.83 ± 1.47 ng/mg protein), and decreased Bcl-2 expression (HepG-2: 2.12 ± 0.14 ng/mg protein; MCF-7: 3.17 ± 0.03 ng/mg protein). However, given the known deficiency of functional caspase-3 in MCF-7 cells, the observed increase likely reflects caspase-3-immunoreactive protein rather than active enzyme. Antioxidant evaluation demonstrated free radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 28.96 µg/mL), comparable to ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 14.03 µg/mL), along with significant CT- DNA intercalation. In vivo, treatment of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mice with G-AgNPs significantly reduced abdominal circumference, ascitic fluid volume, and viable tumor cell counts while increasing the percentage increase in lifespan by 93.3%. G-AgNPs also improved liver and kidney function, increased hepatic GSH, SOD, TAC, and catalase levels relative to untreated EAC-bearing mice, reduced oxidative stress markers (MDA and NO), and ameliorated liver histopathological alterations, with fewer adverse effects than cisplatin. The findings indicate that G-AgNPs possess potential anticancer activity and preliminary differential cytotoxicity toward HepG2 cells compared with non-cancerous cells. Further toxicological and in vivo investigations are required to establish their safety and therapeutic applicability.
