Anticancer Activity of Biogenically Synthesized Selenium Nanoparticles Using <i>Catharanthus Roseus</i>

Abstract The aim of this paper was (1) to study the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using whole plant extract of Catharanthus roseus (CR or C. roseus ) known to have anticancer effects, (2) to investigate the induction of cell death by CR synthesized SeNPs (CR‐SeNPs) in lung cancer cell line (A549), and (3) to compare their anticancer potential with commercial SeNPs. The formation of polycrystalline CR‐SeNPs with absorption maxima of 275 nm, needle shaped nanorods, with mean diameter of 95 nm and −45mv zeta was demonstrated by XRD, UV‐vis spectroscopy, SEM, and zeta potential measurements. The presence of functional group from CR biomolecules was observed in CR‐SeNPs by FTIR. Cytotoxicity assay against A549 cancer cell line indicated potent anticancer activity (IC 50 = 23.180 ± 0.140 µg) for CR‐SeNPs and mechanism of induction of cell death was found to be mediated through apoptotic phenomena through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Notably, a significant increase in apoptosis was observed in the cells treated with CR‐SeNPs than commercial SeNPs treated cells. Nevertheless, lack of toxicity was observed in in vitro (hemolysis assay) and in vivo models. Biologically synthesized nanoparticles may possess higher anticancer properties than commercial SeNPs due to synergism of phytochemicals from CR and SeNPs. Further investigation in the therapeutic mechanisms of CR‐SeNPs is warranted in the in vivo conditions.