Biomimetic Fe3O4 Nanozymes Promote Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cell Lines via Free Radical Scavenging and Inhibition of RelA/p65.

Introduction: Iron oxide nanozyme was synthesized from the fruit peel extract of pomegranate, which served as a reducing agent during the green synthesis. The scavenging of reactive oxygen species is often accompanied by immunomodulation following antiproliferative effects due to the crosstalk between the proteins involved in the inter-related signaling pathways.

Method: In the current study, the green synthesized nanozyme was studied for its ability to induce apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines. The free radical scavenging effect of the nanozyme was reflected as an extension of its intrinsic endogenous enzyme-mimicking property.

Result & discussion: The cell cycle analysis revealed that the cell death induced by nanozyme mainly affected the G0/G1 phase. The expression of RelA/p65 and the inflammatory mediators affected by the nanozyme established the role of the Fe3O4 nanozyme in immunomodulation along with its antiproliferative activity.

Conclusion: This is the first report on the antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities expressed by the biomimetic iron oxide nanozyme.