Halodule uninervis extract facilitates the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles with anticancer activity

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been utilized in a plethora of applications due to their unique optical properties, high stability, and great biocompatibility. The use of plant extracts in the biosynthesis of AuNPs has emerged as an eco-friendly, inexpensive, and nontoxic approach. In the present study, the ethanolic extract of Halodule uninervis (HUE) was used for the first time in the green synthesis of AuNPs. The biogenic AuNPs were characterized using several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques and their anticancer potential was investigated. They displayed a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 550 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis proved the synthesis of small and spherical AuNPs with a zeta potential of - 27.66 mV. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern established the crystalline nature of AuNPs. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) data confirmed the role of HUE in the capping and stabilization of the manufactured AuNPs. The produced AuNPs exhibited anticancer activity against several human cancer cell lines, highlighting their potential efficacy as anticancer therapeutic agents. Further analysis revealed that this observed cytotoxicity is mediated via the induction of apoptosis. Overall, our data validate the effective use of H. uninervis extract in the biosynthesis of AuNPs with significant biological properties.