INVESTIGATING THE ANTI-CANCER PROPERTIES OF A NEWLY SYNTHESIZED METAL-QUERCETIN NANOCOMPLEX IN THE CONTEXT OF CERVICAL CANCER

Objectives: This study aims to develop and evaluate quercetin-loaded silver nanoparticles (Q-AgNPs) as a potential therapeutic agent against cervical cancer, assessing their cytotoxic effects on HeLa cell lines. Methods: Quercetin was synthesized into AgNPs using a bioreduction method involving silver nitrate, with subsequent characterization performed using ultraviolet (UV)-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The cytotoxicity of Q-AgNPs was evaluated in vitro on HeLa cervical cancer cells using the MTT assay to determine cell viability and calculate the IC50 value. Results: The characterization of Q-AgNPs revealed successful synthesis, with distinctive peaks observed in UV-Visible spectroscopy confirming the interaction between quercetin and silver. The particle size analysis indicated a range of sizes, with an entrapment efficiency of 85.4%. The cytotoxicity assessment demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease in HeLa cell viability, with an IC50 value calculated at 11.765 μg/mL, indicating significant cytotoxic effects. Conclusion: The findings highlight the promising potential of Q-AgNPs as an innovative approach for cervical cancer therapy. Further optimization and in vivo studies are warranted to explore the mechanisms of action and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of this nanoparticle formulation.