Abstract:
This study investigates the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Carica papaya leaf extract and evaluates their anticancer potential against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The AuNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the Carica papaya leaf extract was analyzed using chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The synthesized AuNPs exhibited a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 558.6 nm, with predominantly spherical morphology and sizes ranging from 20.3 to 61.0 nm. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of phytochemicals from C. papaya leaf extract as capping agents. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the papaya leaf extract revealed a complex phytochemical profile with isopropyl tetradecanoate as a major component, which is likely to play a key role in the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The AuNPs demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells with an IC50 value of 22.09 ± 0.33 μg/mL. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the AuNPs induced cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase and significantly increased apoptosis. Molecular docking studies suggested strong interactions between the AuNPs and the HER2-HER3-NRG1 beta complex. Additionally, the AuNPs exhibited notable antioxidant activity in the DPPH radical scavenging assay. These findings highlight the potential of green-synthesized AuNPs using C. papaya leaf extract as a promising Nanotherapeutic agent for breast cancer treatment, warranting further investigation into their molecular mechanisms and in vivo efficacy.
