Introducing a bionanocomposite (Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of Ag nanoparticles embedded Aloe vera gel) for the treatment of cervical carcinoma

Abstract Regarding applied, facile, green chemical research, a bio-inspired approach is being reported for the sonochemical synthesis of Ag nanoparticles by Aloe vera gel extract as a natural reducing/stabilising and solid support agent without using any toxic and harmful reagent. The biosynthesized Ag NPs/A. vera gel bionanocomposite was characterised by advanced physicochemical techniques like ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and elemental mapping study. It has been established that Aloe vera gel-stabilized silver nanoparticles have a spherical shape with a mean diameter of around 35–40 nm. To investigate the antioxidant potentials of Ag NPs/A. vera gel, one of the common antioxidant techniques i.e. DPPH was used. The results of DPPH test proved the excellent antioxidant properties of Ag NPs/A. vera gel in comparison to the positive control used i.e. butylated hydroxytoluene. The IC50 of Ag NPs/A. vera gel was 42 µg/mL in the antioxidant test. Thereafter, on having a significant IC50 value in radical scavenging assay, we extended the bio-application of the desired nanocomposite in the anticancer study. To survey the cytotoxicity and anti-human cervical carcinoma effects of Ag NPs/A. vera gel, MTT assay was used on CC1-PI19, SiHa, HeLa and HNCF-PI52 cell lines. The IC50 of the Ag NPs/A. vera gel was 16, 13, 15 and 11 µg/mL against CC1-PI19, SiHa, HeLa and HNCF-PI52 cell lines, respectively. As mentioned, the Ag NPs/A. vera gel had significant antioxidant and anti-human cervical cancer effects. After approving the above results in the clinical trial studies, the Ag NPs/A. vera gel can be used as a chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of several types of cervical cancers. According to the above results, the significant anti-cervical cancer effects of Ag NPs/A. vera gel are confirmed.