Bio-fabrication of chitosan-stabilized magnesium oxide nanomaterials: Investigation of photocatalytic, in vitro cytotoxicity activities and apoptosis in oral squamous carcinoma cells.

Abstract

A bio-fabrication approach is a novel way to develop chitosan-stabilized magnesium oxide nanomaterials (cMgO-NMs). The process involves utilizing polymeric chitosan as the reducing and stabilizing agent. The characteristics of the developed cMgO-NMs were determined using various spectroscopical techniques. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed crucial functional groups, Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) spectrum showed nanomaterial development with a peak at 358 nm, and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern confirmed a pure cubic crystalline structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images depicted spherical shape, while energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) confirmed Mg presence. The photocatalytic efficacy of these nanomaterials in degrading dye methylene blue (MB) was examined, and the findings demonstrated the remarkable proficiency of cMgO-NMs in breaking down the dye. The cytotoxic effects of cMgO-NMs were assessed for the first time on PCI-9A and PCI-13 cancer cell lines, yielding an IC₅₀ value of 51 μg/mL and 42 μg/mL. The cMgO-NMs treated PCI-9A and PCI-13 cancer cells morphological changes were observed via acridine orange and ethidium bromide and DAPI staining assay, and apoptotic mode of cell death was examined through flow cytometry and comet assay. Polymeric chitosan proved effective in extensive cMgO-NMs production, showing potential as an anticancer drug, although requiring further preclinical development.