Biogenic synthesis and characterization of biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles: In vitro study of selective antiproliferative efficacy against MCF-7 cells and antibacterial potential

The accelerating fatality rate of breast cancer patients has led to the idea of unconventional therapeutic approach in this work. Here, we report the facile, eco-benign and economically advantageous route for producing iron oxide nanoparticles employing triphala extract (TR-IONPs). MTT assay was used to assess the in-vitro anticancer effectiveness of TR-IONPs against the multi-drug-resistant breast malignant cell (MCF-7). TR-IONPs revealed a concentration-dependent effect on MCF-7 viability, with an IC[Formula: see text] value of 6.8[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL for a 24-h treatment. Thus, the cytotoxic ability was established at a much lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration. As the TR-IONPs did not show remarkable toxicity toward L929 fibroblast cells, they can be trusted as a biocompatible material for real-time biomedical applications. Apoptotic death of MCF-7 cells caused by the release of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was affirmed by DCFH-DA staining, DNA fragmentation assay and cell cycle analysis. Through Kirby–Bauer Disk Diffusion assay, TR-IONPs were found to hold potent antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa bacterial pathogens. With the demonstrated favorable results, TR-IONPs may serve as a reliable multi-functional material in the field of nanobiotechnology.