ANTI-CANCER POSSIBILITY OF ZINGIER OFFICIALE NANOPARTICLES: MECHANISMS AND THERAPEUTIC UNDERSTANDING

Abstract

Objective: To synthesize and profile green-prepared copper nanoparticles (ZOE-CuNPs) and to determine their cytotoxicity effects on human breast cancer cells.

Methods: ZOE-CuNPs were synthesized by green reduction of copper acetate using Zingiber officinale extract. The characterization was done by UV-Vis, XRD, SEM-EDS, and FT-IR techniques. Cytotoxicity was assessed in aline of breast cancer cells. A new breast cancer cell line (AMJ13) using the MTT assay (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) at 0-100 µM concentrations.

Results: Copper nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using Zingiber officinale extract (ZOE-CuNPs) via green synthesis, as established by UV-Vis spectroscopy displayed distinguishing absorption peak at ~439 nm, characteristic of Cu-based nanoparticles; the spectra were unchanged after ageing. XRD noted Cu-based nanocrystalline phases (probably including copper oxides, e. g., Cu 2 O/CuO); a clear assignment would require application of Rietveld alteration against appropriate JCPDS cards with a regular particle dimension of 31 nm, calculated using means of the Debye-Scherrer equation. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated predominantly quasi-spherical morphology with slight accumulation, although energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed elemental composition (Cu, O, C). FTIR analysis identified spectral shifts in the ranges 3248-3355 cm⁻¹, 1652-1751 cm⁻¹, and 1479-1432 cm⁻¹, indicating gingerol-mediated reduction and stabilization of copper ions through alcohol, carbonyl, and amine functional groups. Cytotoxicity evaluation against breast cancer cells using MTT assay revealed concentration-dependent anticancer activity across six concentrations (0-100 µM), with inhibition rates increasing from 0.00±2.1% (control) to 75.00±2.9% at 100 µM. Analysis(one-way ANOVA, p<0.001) confirmed significant differences between all concentration groups, demonstrating potent dose-dependent cytotoxic efficacy of the green-synthesized ZOE-CuNPs for potential anticancer nanomedicine applications.

Conclusion: ZOE-CuNPs exhibit high, concentration-dependent anticancer activities, which are likely mediated through ROS generation and initiation of apoptotic pathways.