Green-synthesized ZnCo2O4 nanoparticles derived from Foeniculum vulgare seed extract exhibit potent in vitro anticancer activity
Abstract
Green synthesis techniques provide an efficient and cost-effective method for synthesizing metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. In this study, ZnCo2O4 NPs were synthesized via a green hydrothermal synthesis using Foeniculum vulgare seed extract. The synthesized ZnCo2O4 NPs were characterized using FTIR, SEM-EDS, XRD, and XPS. Their anticancer activity was assessed using the MTT colorimetric assay against non-cancerous cell lines (HEK293) and cancerous cell lines from human breast (MCF-7), liver (HepG2), and acute monocytic leukemia (THP-1) tumor cell lines. The results showed that ZnCo2O4 NPs obtained from F.oeniculum vulgare seed extract had significant cytotoxic effects on HEK293, MCF-7, HepG2, and THP-1 cell lines at different concentrations (2.5–100 µg ml−1). IC50 values were determined. A qRT-PCR analysis examined specific targets, including CDK1, Cyclin B1, and Survivin, which are key genes modulating the cell cycle. The results revealed a significant decrease in mRNA expression levels. Molecular docking analysis revealed the strong binding affinities of ZnCo2O4 NPs to the selected protein target, HIF-1α (−13.4 kcal mol−1). These findings suggest that ZnCo2O4 NPs could serve as potent anticancer therapeutic agents.
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