Anticancer Potential of Biosynthesized Faidherbia albida Nanoparticles against MDA-MB- 231 Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutic approaches. Nanotechnology-based treatments have gained significant attention for enhancing drug bioavailability and minimizing systemic toxicity. This study assesses the anticancer activity of biosynthesized Faidherbia albida nanoparticles (NPs) against the triple-negative breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231.

Faidherbia albida roots were collected, authenticated and used for extract preparation. Biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with varying concentrations of F. albida crude extract and its NPs and cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. Apoptotic markers Bcl-2 and Bax were measured using ELISA and lipid peroxidation levels were determined through the TBARS assay.

The synthesized F. albida NPs had an average size of 114.4 nm, as determined by DLS. TEM analysis confirmed a clustered morphology and FTIR and XRD analyses validated the presence of functional groups and crystalline structures. MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited significant morphological alterations upon NP treatment, including cellular shrinkage and increased debris accumulation. The MTT assay revealed a concentration-dependent decrease in the viability of cells, with NP-treated cells exhibiting 14–26% greater cytotoxicity than crude extract-treated cells. ELISA assays demonstrated a significant increase in the regulation of the pro- apoptotic marker Bax and downregulation of the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2. Furthermore, NP treatment resulted in a notable reduction in lipid peroxidation levels compared to crude extract treatment.