Biofabricated platinum nanoparticles: therapeutic evaluation as a potential nanodrug against breast cancer cells and drug-resistant bacteria

Abstract

Use of plant extracts for the synthesis of various metal nanoparticles has gained much importance recently because it is a simple, less hazardous, conservative and cost-effective method. In this research work, platinum nanoparticles were synthesized by treating platinum ions with the leaf extract of <i>Psidium guajava</i> and their structural properties were studied using various characterization techniques. The formation of platinum nanoparticles was confirmed by the disappearance of the absorbance peak at 261 nm in UV-visible spectra. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis showed functional moieties responsible for bio-reduction of metal ions and stabilization of platinum nanoparticles. The use of dynamic light scattering (DLS) imaging techniques confirmed the formation of stable monodispersed platinum nanoparticles showing a zeta potential of -23.4 mV. The morphological examination using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the formation of spherical platinum nanoparticles with an average diameter of 113.2 nm. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) techniques showed the crystalline nature of biosynthesized platinum nanoparticles with a face-centered cubic structure. The results of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) showed 100% platinum content by weight confirming the purity of the sample. The cytotoxic effect of biosynthesized platinum nanoparticles assessed in a breast cancer (MCF-7) cell-line by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, revealed an IC₅₀ of 167.2 μg ml^-1. The results of a wound healing assay showed that treatment with platinum nanoparticles induced an anti-migratory effect on MCF-7 cells. In the cell cycle phase distribution, treatment with platinum nanoparticles inhibited cell proliferation as determined by flow cytometry with PI staining. Significant cell cycle arrest was detected at the G0/G1 phase with a notable decrease in the distribution of cells in the S and G2/M phases. The anti-bacterial activity of bio-synthesized platinum nanoparticles was evaluated against four pathogenic bacteria <i>i.e. B. cereus</i> (Gram positive), <i>P. aeruginosa</i> (Gram negative), <i>K. pneumonia</i> (Gram negative) and <i>E. coli</i> (Gram negative). The biosynthesized platinum nanoparticles were found to show dose-dependent inhibition against pathogenic bacteria with a significant effect on Gram-negative bacteria compared to Gram-positive bacteria. This synergistic blend of green and simplistic synthesis coupled with anti-proliferative and anti-bacterial properties makes these biogenic nanoparticles suitable in nanomedicine.