Acacia arabica-enriched zinc oxide biopolymer nanocomposites: A dual-purpose strategy for combatting MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

In the global effort to combat breast cancer, this study investigates the potential of Zinc Oxide Biopolymer Nanocomposites (ZnO-BNCs) as a multimodal treatment and diagnostic option for breast cancer, specifically targeting the MCF-7 cell line. ZnO-BNCs were synthesized using environmentally friendly Acacia Arabica leaf extract, known for its arabinoxylan biopolymer, which enhances the biocompatibility and stability of the nanocomposites. By combining the anticancer properties of ZnO nanoparticles with the biopolymer matrix, ZnO-BNCs demonstrated improved therapeutic efficacy and targeted delivery. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including surface morphology analysis, particle size determination, stability assessment, and elemental composition analysis, were employed to assess the properties of the ZnO-BNCs. The Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the synthesis process, showing promising results. The cytotoxicity evaluation using the MTT assay revealed a significant reduction in MCF-7 cell viability, with a 13-fold decrease at the highest concentration (500 μg/mL) compared to the control. These findings suggest that ZnO-BNCs hold great potential as a functional biomaterial for future biomedical applications, particularly in cancer treatment and diagnosis.