Zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Aspergillus terreus induces oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis through modulating apoptotic proteins in human cervical cancer HeLa cells

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biotechnology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Cervical cancer remains a significant global health challenge.
• Developing novel therapeutic agents is crucial for effective treatment.
• Biogenic synthesis offers a sustainable approach for nanoparticle production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Aspergillus terreus.
• To evaluate the cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects of biogenic ZnO NPs on HeLa cancer cells.

Main Methods:

• ZnO NPs synthesized via fungal culture filtrate and characterized using UV-spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, EDX, and FTIR.
• Cytotoxicity assessed using MTT assay.
• Apoptosis analyzed via Western blot for key proteins and measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

Main Results:

• Mycosynthesized ZnO NPs showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity on HeLa cells.
• Treatment induced oxidative damage, evidenced by altered antioxidant enzyme levels (SOD, CAT, GPx) and increased ROS.
• Apoptosis was confirmed by diminished MMP and modulation of apoptotic proteins (downregulated Bcl-2; upregulated p53, Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cytochrome-c).

Conclusions:

• Aspergillus terreus-synthesized ZnO NPs effectively induce apoptosis in HeLa cells through oxidative stress and apoptotic pathway modulation.
• These biogenic ZnO NPs hold promise as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for cervical cancer.