Impact of Green-synthesized Copper Silver Nanoparticles Against Human Colon Cancer Cells Utilizing <i>Sargassum muticum</i> Extract in Terms of Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis

Background and Objectives Brown seaweed, Sargassum muticum, can grow up to a maximum length of 10 m. This study aimed to create novel bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) by utilizing the entire plant extract. The bimetallic green-Ag-CuNPs was synthesized by using these substances extract of Sargassum muticum algae, copper oxide (CuO), silver (AgCl) by a reduction procedure and studied its toxic action against human colon cancer (HCT-116) cells. Methods SEM and TEM were used to measure the NPs’ size prior to the treatment of g-Ag-Cu NPs. The g-Ag-Cu nanoparticles had a circular shape and measured 46 ± 1 nm in size. MTT and NRU tests were used to assess the cytotoxicity of g-Ag-Cu NPs on HCT-116 cells. Results The results showed that the cytotoxicity of NPs increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The median inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) for HCT-116 cells at 24 h was determined to be 66.4 μg/ml based on the MTT result. At 50 µg/ml of g-Ag-Cu NPs, HCT-116 cells generated large amounts of intracellular ROS, induced caspase 3/7. Using Rhodamine123 labeling, the impact of NPs on mitochondrial membrane potential in HCT-116 cells was evaluated and it was highly compromised at 50 µg/ml of g-Ag-Cu NPs. Expression of apoptotic protein was assessed by using protein array methods and it was down and up regulated as per concentration of exposure of g-Ag-Cu NPs. Conclusion Our findings support the g-Ag-Cu NPs’ lethal effects on human colon cancer cells. We believe that because this nanoparticle increases cytotoxicity and triggers apoptosis, it may be useful as a supplement in the treatment of colon cancer.