Therapeutic efficacy of Phyllanthus emblica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles in A549 lung cancer cell line.

Aim: Present work was undertaken to fabricate iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using a green approach for increased therapeutic efficacy. Materials & methods: Two types of IONPs were synthesized, one without any coating (IONP_UC) and other coated with Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) fruit extract (IONP_A). Both the IONPs were characterized using different techniques and therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in A549 human lung cancer cell line. Results: IONP_A were smaller in size with better dispersibility compared with IONP_UC. They induced increased reactive oxygen species production, higher DNA damage and apoptosis, which resulted in increased toxicity to cancer cells in comparison to IONP_UC. Conclusion: Higher uptake of IONP_A and active components coating the surface, may be responsible for the increased therapeutic efficacy in cancer cells.