Induction of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis in cervical cancer cells by Momordica dioica mediated gold nanoparticles

Bio-fabrication of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has several advantages like biocompatibility, less toxicity, and eco-friendly in nature over their chemical and physical methods. Currently, the authors fabricated AuNPs using aqueous root extract of Momordica dioica (M. dioica) and explored their anticancer application with mechanistic approaches. Different biophysical techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and dynamic light scattering were employed for AuNPs characterisation. The synthesised AuNPs were mono-dispersed, crystalline in nature, anionic surface (-23.9 mV), and spherical particle of an average diameter of 9.4 nm. In addition, the AuNPs were stable in buffers solutions and also biocompatible towards normal human cells (human vascular endothelial cells and human lung cells). The AuNPs were exhibited anticancer activity against different cancer cell lines such as human breast cancer cells, human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and human lung cancer cells. Further, the pro-apoptotic genes such as Bcl₂ were down-regulated and BAX, Caspase-3, -8, and -9 were up-regulated in HeLa cells as compared to untreated cells. Annexin-V-FITC assay results showed that the AuNPs were induced apoptosis by accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. To their knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis of bioactive metal nanoparticles from M. dioica and it may open up new avenues in therapeutic applications.