Anticancer activity of green synthesised AgNPs from <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> (LG) against lung carcinoma cell line A549

Abstract

The present study is designed to analyse the antibacterial and anticancer effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesised from the Cymbopogon citratus , (lemongrass) (LG‐AgNPs), which is widely used in ayurvedic drugs for treating various diseases. The LG‐AgNPs were synthesised and characterised using ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The characterised LG‐AgNPs was subjected to antimicrobial analysis by disc diffusion method against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity and anticancer activity of the LG‐AgNPs were assessed with lung alveolar carcinoma cell line A549. Results depict that UV–visible spectra of LG‐AgNPs showed strong absorption peak at 435 nm. The XRD study exposed LG‐AgNPs crystals, which confirmed with TEM analysis exhibiting particle size ranging between 17 and 25.8 nm. The FTIR spectra recorded peaks at 3347, 2126, 1639, 659, 598 and 553 cm −1 . The zone of inhibition study proves the LG‐AgNPs possessed both antibacterial and antifungal activities. 3‐(4, 5‐dimethyl thiazoyl‐2‐yl)‐(2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) results show the cytotoxicity effect of LG‐AgNPs in lung cancer cells. It also inhibited the cell migration and invasion at the dose of 25 µg ml −1 by increasing the apoptotic gene expression. The results reveal LG‐AgNPs possess anticancer activities, proposing that it may be an alternative drug for allopathic drugs with lots of side effects used in lung cancer treatment.