Title:Biogenic Synthesis and Characterization of Ethyl Ferulate Gold Nanoparticle and its Efficacy against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Author(s): Jyothsna Unnikrishnan, Mangala Hegde, Aviral Kumar, Sosmitha Girisa, Priyadarshi Satpati*Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara*
Affiliation:
- Computational Biology Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology
Guwahati, Assam781039, India
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam781039, India
Keywords:
Gold nanoparticles, phytochemicals, ethyl ferulate, triple-negative breast cancer.
Abstract:
Background: Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) presents a significant challenge
due to its aggressive nature and lack of responsive hormone receptors, predominantly affecting
younger premenopausal women. Ethyl ferulate (EF), a notable phytochemical, has demonstrated
promising anti-cancer properties. This study aimed to enhance the efficacy of EF by synthesizing
and characterizing ethyl ferulate gold nanoparticles (EF-AuNps) to passively target TNBC cells
via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect.
Methods: We synthesized EF-AuNps using a direct reduction method and characterized the NPs
by employing various techniques, including UV-visible spectroscopy, DLS, XRD, EDX, TEM,
and FT-IR. The anti-proliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 cells was assessed using MTT
and colony formation assays, alongside evaluating cell viability with PI-FACS and live/dead assays.
Furthermore, a Western blot was performed to determine the mechanism of action of EFAuNps
in TNBC cells.
Result: We successfully synthesized triangular EF-AuNps (<100nm) and observed a substantial inhibition
of cell proliferation (IC50 18μg/ml). Compared to EF alone, EF-AuNps significantly enhanced
cell death in TNBC cells, as confirmed by flow cytometry and viability assays. Besides,
Western blot analysis verified that the expression of apoptotic-related signal proteins, such as survivin,
caspase 3, and caspase 9, were modulated by EF-AuNps.
Conclusion: EF-AuNps showed higher anti-cancer efficacy than EF in the MDA-MB-231 cell
line. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of EF-AuNps for TNBC treatment, advocating
for further preclinical and clinical investigations into this promising anti-cancer formulation.
