Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticle from Aqueous Extracts of Hedera helix L., Senna alexandrina Mill., Thymus vulgaris L. and Tribulus terrestris L. and Evaluation of Their In-Vitro Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Effects

Until now, the therapeutic potential of metal nanoparticles (NPs) has received much attention thanks to their unique properties. In addition, natural extracts of plants have shown significant therapeutic ability in various diseases. Therefore, the present study aimed to synthesize AuNPs using aqueous extracts of Hedra helix (Hh-AuNPs), Senna alexandrina (Sa-AuNPs), Thyme vulgaris (Tv-AuNPs) and Tribulus terrestris (Tt-AuNPs) and then investigate their antioxidant and cytotoxic effects on cancerous and normal breast cell lines. For this purpose, the prepared Phyto-NPs were analyzed employing the TEM technique and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The antioxidant activities of all aqueous extracts and the Phyto-NPs were analyzed by FRAP and DPPH assays. Their cytotoxic effects against the MCF-7, MCF-10 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were also determined using an MTT assay. UV–Vis spectrum of Hh-AuNPs, Sa-AuNPs, Tv-AuNPs and Tt-AuNPs disclosed absorption peaks at wavelengths of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm and [Formula: see text], respectively. TEM image illustrated a spherical shape of Phyto-AuNPs with particle sizes of under 100[Formula: see text]nm. Phyto-AuNPs demonstrated more antioxidant activities than the plant extracts alone. Moreover, Phyto-AuNPs indicated higher cytotoxic activities against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines compared to plant extracts. This report provides new possibilities for using the above-mentioned aqueous extracts for the green synthesis of AuNPs, which may be applied to future animal breast cancer models or one step higher clinically for breast cancer patients.