Synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and its in vitro anticancer effects on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

• Published in: Alexandria engineering journal Vol. 104; pp. 614 - 620
• Main Authors: Yu, Tingting, Liu, Ling, Liu, Yutong, Yin, Wanzhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anticancer activity; Apoptosis; Ginkgo biloba; Gold nanoparticles; Green synthesis; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Ginkgo biloba; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Green synthesis; Gold nanoparticles; Anticancer activity; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 1110-0168
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aej.2024.07.130

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Ginkgo biloba leaf aqueous extract was optimized by response surface methodology to yield monodispersed, crystalline nanoparticles of 18 ± 4 nm diameter. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed capping by flavonoids, terpenoids and polyphenols providing stability for over 6 months. The biosynthesized AuNPs exhibited promising in vitro dose and time-dependent antiproliferative effects against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE1 cells with IC50 reducing from 65.7 to 39.2 μg/mL over 24–72 hrs. Distinct cytoplasmic damage was observed under microscope. Treatment with 50 μg/mL AuNPs for 48 hrs dramatically upregulated pro-apoptotic Bax, Caspase-3 and p53 by 8.7, 6.5 and 4.3 fold respectively while downregulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 by 11.2 fold, indicating apoptosis induction via mitochondrial intrinsic pathway. The green fabricated G. biloba AuNPs displayed preferential toxicity towards carcinoma cells compared to normal fibroblasts, indicating potential for targeted nasopharyngeal cancer therapy.