Study on the proapoptotic potential of Zinc oxide nanoparticles green synthesized from Detarium microcarpum methanol stembark extract on MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines in vitro
1 Department of Biochemistry, Adamawa State University, Mubi.
2 Department of Biochemistry, Modibbo Adama University, Yola.
Research Article
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2026, 11(02), 129-141.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2026.11.2.0048
Publication history:
Received on 29 March 2026; revised on 12 May 2026; accepted on 14 May 2026
Abstract:
Breast cancer remains one of the leading health care concerns globally, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases and 670,000 deaths in 2022. This research studied the proapoptotic potential of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (DMZnONPs) green synthesized from Detarium microcarpum methanol stembark extract on MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines in vitro. The green synthesized DMZnONPs was characterized using UV-vis spectrophotometry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Preliminary antioxidant potential was assessed in vitro, using DPPH, H2O2 radical Scavenging assay and Reducing power assay. The proapoptotic potential against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was also determined in vitro. The DMZnONPs showed maximum absorption at a range between 340 and 380 nm confirming the synthesis of nanoparticles, while the AFM revealed an average particle size of around 89 nm. The results indicate a dose dependent antioxidant activity. The lower IC50 value in the DPPH and H2O2 of the standard BHT (98.61 and 97.55 µg/ml respectively) compared to the DMZnONPs (129.47 and 207.46 µg/ml) affirms higher scavenging potential of the standard. The DMZnONPs treatment significantly decreased the viability of MCF-7 cancer cells at higher concentrations (1250-5000 μg/mL) compared to untreated cells and other concentrations after 24 h and 72 h stand point. These findings demonstrate that DMZnONPs treatment acts as a highly effective, specific therapeutic agent, disrupting both the surface and internal structure of breast cancer cells and leading to programmed death
Keywords:
Nanoparticles; Green synthesis; Breast cancer; DMBA; Oxidative stress
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