Cinnamomum verum: Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and In Vitro Anticancer Activity on A-431 Cell Lines

Year 2025, Volume: 45 Issue: 2, 131 - 145, 01.06.2025

Kusum Joshi , Sushma Awati , Anita Desai , Prabhu Halakatti , Shantaveer Irappanavar , Laxman Vıjapur , Anil Metre

https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1625482

Abstract

Human skin cancers are the most common type of cancer, especially among white individuals. Due to the rising incidence of cutaneous malignancies, various therapies have been developed. While surgical treatments remain the gold standard, innovative approaches are needed to reduce morbidity and mortality. This study explores the potential of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Cinnamomum verum aqueous extract as an eco-friendly and cost effective alternative for skin cancer treatment. The plant extract served as a capping and reducing agent to biosynthesize silver ions into silver nanoparticles. Among the formulations, NP3 had the smallest particle size 220.5 nm and a zeta potential of -4.4 mV, as revealed by dynamic light scattering. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed 26.18% silver content. The antiproliferative efficacy of NP3 was evaluated on A431 cell lines by cytotoxicity evaluation. The IC50 value for Cinnamomum verum extract was 57.92±0.25µg/ml, while biosynthesized NP3 had an improved IC50 of 45.30±0.72µg/ml, demonstrating significant antiproliferative activity. These findings suggest that biosynthesized silver nanoparticles could serve as an alternative therapy for managing skin cancer.

Keywords

Cinnamomum verum , A431cell lines , skin cancer , MTT assay , Siver nanoparticles

Supporting Institution

Research grants for under Graduate students by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Project Number

Project Code UG22PHA446

References

• 1. Krishnaraj C, Jagan EG, Rajasekar S, Selvakumar P, Kalaichelvan PT, Mohan N. Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Acalypha indica leaf extracts and its antibacterial activity against water borne pathogens. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2010;76(1):50–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2009.10.008
• 2. Singh A, Jain D, Upadhyay MK, Khandelwal N, Verma HN. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Argemone mexicana leaf extract and evaluation of their antimicrobial activities. Dig J Nanomater Bios. 2010;5(2):483-9.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-014-0366-6
• 3. Sriram MI, Kanth SBM, Kalishwaralal K, Gurunathan S. Antitumor activity of silver nanoparticles in Dalton’s lymphoma ascites tumor model. Int J Nanomedicine. 2010;5:753–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S11727
• 4. Lu L, Sun RWY, Chen R, Hui CK, Ho CM, Luk JM, et al. Silver nanoparticles inhibit hepatitis B virus replication. Antiviral Ther. 2008;13(2):253-62. https://doi.org/10.1177/135965350801300210
• 5. Allahverdiyev AM, Abamor ES, Bagirova M, Ustundag CB, Kaya C, Kaya F, et al. Antileishmanial effect of silver nanoparticles and their enhanced antiparasitic activity under ultraviolet light. Int J Nanomedicine. 2011;3:2705-14.https://doi.org/10.1177/135965350801300210
• 6. Mondal NK, Chowdhury A, Dey U, Mukhopadhya P, Chatterjee S, Das K, et al. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its application for mosquito control. Asian Pac J Trop Dis. 2014;4:S204–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s2222-1808(14)60440-0
• 7. Rosarin FS, Arulmozhi V, Nagarajan S, Mirunalini S. Antiproliferative effect of silver nanoparticles synthesized using amla on Hep2 cell line. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2013;6(1):1–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1995-7645(12)60193-X
• 8. Mason C, Vivekanandhan S, Misra M, Mohanty AK. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Extract Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles. World Journal of Nano Science and Engineering. 2012;02(02):47–52.http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/wjnse.2012.22008
• 9. Paulkumar K, Gnanajobitha G, Vanaja M, Rajeshkumar S, Malarkodi C, Pandian K, et al. Piper nigrum leaf and stem assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and evaluation of its antibacterial activity against agricultural plant pathogens. Scientific World Journal. 2014;1:829894. http://dx.doi. org/10.1155/2014/829894
• 10. Vivekanandhan S, Misra M, Mohanty AK. Biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Glycine max (soybean) leaf extract: an investigation on different soybean varieties. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2009;9(12):6828–33 https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2009.2201
• 11. Dubey SP, Lahtinen M, Sillanpää M. Green synthesis and characterizations of silver and gold nanoparticles using leaf extract of Rosa rugosa. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp . 2010;364(1–3):34–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2010.04.023
• 12. Vilchis-Nestor AR, Sánchez-Mendieta V, Camacho-López MA, Gómez-Espinosa RM, Camacho-López MA, Arenas-Alatorre JA. Solventless synthesis and optical properties of Au and Ag nanoparticles using Camellia sinensis extract. Mater Lett . 2008;62(17–18):3103–5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2008.01.138
• 13. Simões MCF, Sousa JJS, Pais AACC. Skin cancer and new treatment perspectives: a review. Cancer Lett 2015;357(1):8–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2014.11.001
• 14. Singh N, Rao AS, Nandal A, Kumar S, Yadav SS, Ganaie SA, et al. Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Cinnamomum verum J. Presl-a versatile spice used in food and nutrition. Food Chem. 2021;338:127773. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127773
• 15. Narayanankutty A, Kunnath K, Alfarhan A, Rajagopal R, Ramesh V. Chemical composition of Cinnamomum verum leaf and flower essential oils and analysis of their antibacterial, insecticidal, and larvicidal properties. Molecules. 2021;26(20):6303. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules26206303
• 16. Vijapur LS, Hiremath JN, Bonageri NN, Desai AR. Murraya koenigii: biogenic synthesis of Ag-NPsand their cytotoxic effects against MDA-MB-231, human breast cancer cell lines. World J Pharm Med Res. 2019; 5:206-11
• 17. Vijapur LS, Srinivas Y, Desai AR, Gudigennavar AS, Shidramshettar SL, Yaragattimath P. Development of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from Cinnamomum tamala for antioxidant, anti-microbial and anti-cancer activity. J. Res. Pharm. 2023;27(2):769-82http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/jrp.359
• 18. Khandelwal K. Practical Pharmacognosy.20 th ed. Nirali prakashan: 2010 : 25.1-25.9.
• 19. Ahmed S, Ahmad M, Swami BL, Ikram S. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica aqueous leaf extract. J Radiat Res Appl Sci. 2016;9(1):1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrras.2015.06.006
• 20. Jaast S, Grewal A. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, characterization and evaluation of their photocatalytic dye degradation activity. Current Research in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 2021;4:100195.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crgsc.2021.100195
• 21. Devaraj P, Kumari P, Aarti C, Renganathan A. Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using cannonball leaves and their cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cell line. J Nanotechnol. 2013;1:1–5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/598328
• 22. Elamawi RM, Al-Harbi RE, Hendi AA. Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using Trichoderma longibrachiatum and their effect on phytopathogenic fungi. Egypt J Biol Pest Contr. 2018;28:1-11https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-018-0028-1
• 23. Vijapur LS, Shalavadi M, Desai AR, Hiremath JN, Gudigennavar AS, Shidramshettar SL, et al.Wound healing potential of green synthesized silver nanoparticles of Glycyrrhiza glabra linn root extract: A preclinical study. Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals. 2025;11:100214.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100214
• 24. Anandalakshmi K, Venugobal J, Ramasamy VJ. Characterization of silver nanoparticles by green synthesis method using Pedalium murex leaf extract and their antibacterial activity. Appl Nanosci. 2016;6:399-8.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-015-0449-z
• 25. Kumbar VM, Muddapur UM, Bhat KG, Shwetha HR, Kugaji MS, Peram MR, et al. Cancer stem cell traits in tumor spheres derived from primary laryngeal carcinoma cell lines. Contemp Clin Dent. 2021;12(3):247-54. https://doi.org/10.4103/ccd.ccd_252_20
• 26. Van Meerloo J, Kaspers GJ, Cloos J. Cell sensitivity assays: the MTT assay. Methods Mol Biol. 2011;731:237-45.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-080-5_20
• 27. Kumbar VM, Muddapur UM, Bhat KG, Shwetha HR, Kugaji MS, Peram MR, et al. Effect of curcumin on growth, biofilm formation and virulence factor gene expression of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Odontology. 2021;109(1):18-28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10266-020-00514-y
• 28. Eya’ane Meva F, Segnou ML, Okalla Ebongue C, Ntoumba AA, Belle Ebanda Kedi P, Deli V, et al. Spectroscopic synthetic optimizations monitoring of silver nanoparticles formation from Megaphrynium macrostachyum leaf extract. Rev Bras Farmacogn. 2016;26(5):640-6.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjp.2016.06.002
• 29. Vijayakumar M, Priya K, Nancy FT, Noorlidah A, Ahmed AB. Biosynthesis, characterisation and anti-bacterial effect of plant-mediated silver nanoparticles using Artemisia nilagirica. Ind Crops Prod . 2013;41:235-40.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.04.017
• 30. Nikam AN, Jacob A, Raychaudhuri R, Fernandes G, Pandey A, Rao V, et al. Topical micro-emulsion of 5-Fluorouracil by a twin screw processor-based novel continuous manufacturing process for the treatment of skin cancer: Preparation and in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(9). http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15092175
• 31. Castro-Aceituno V, Ahn S, Simu SY, Singh P, Mathiyalagan R, Lee HA, Yang DC. Anticancer activity of silver nanoparticles from Panax ginseng fresh leaves in human cancer cells. Biomed Pharmacother. 2016;84:158-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2016.09.016
• 32. Kwon H-K, Hwang J-S, So J-S, Lee C-G, Sahoo A, Ryu J-H, et al. Cinnamon extract induces tumor cell death through inhibition of NFkappaB and AP1. BMC Cancer.2010;10(1):392. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-10-392
• 33. Longley DB, Harkin DP, Johnston PG. 5-fluorouracil: mechanisms of action and clinical strategies. Nat Rev Cancer. 2003;3(5):330–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrc1074
• 34. AshaRani PV, Low Kah Mun G, Hande MP, Valiyaveettil S. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in human cells. ACS Nano. 2009;3(2):279–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nn800596w
• 35. Ahmed S, Ahmad M, Swami BL, Ikram S. A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: A green expertise. J Adv Res. 2016;7(1):17–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
• 36. Kaya MM. Silver nanoparticles stimulate 5-Fluorouracil-induced colorectal cancer cells to kill through the upregulation TRPV1-mediated calcium signaling pathways. Cell Biol Int. 2024;48(5):712–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cbin.12141