Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (Hematite (α-Fe2O3) have been used as an antimicrobial and as disinfectant. Nevertheless, there is limited data about its antitumor potential. This study focused on investigating the cytotoxic effects of Hematite (α-Fe2O3) from Butea monosperma flower extract on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and its mechanism of action.  Green method was created for the synthesis of Hematite (α-Fe2O3) using an aqueous extract of B. monosperma flower. Synthesis of hematite (α-Fe2O3) was described by different analytical techniques including ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. Cell viability was determined by the 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-a 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was measured using probe 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate and intracellular calcium (Cai2+) was evaluated with probe flu3-AM. Cells were treated with different concentrations of hematite (α-Fe2O3) (1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL).  The results showed that hematite (α-Fe2O3) hindered cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Hematite (α-Fe2O3) appeared to have dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells through activation of the ROS generation and an increase in the intracellular Cai2+ (IC50 52 ± 3.14).  In conclusion, the results of this preliminary study demonstrated that hematite (α-Fe2O3) from B. monosperma flower extract may be a potential therapeutic potential medicament for human breast cancer treatment.

Key words: Cytotoxicity, MCF-7 cell line, Butea monosperma, Hematite (α-Fe2O3), nanoparticles.