Comparative structural, antimicrobial, and anti-cancerous properties of Triphala churna-mediated iron nanoparticles and Loha Bhasma

Abstract BACKGROUND: Loha Bhasma is a complex iron-based Ayurvedic drug with immense properties, exploited as a therapy for various ailments. Another powerful Ayurvedic formulation, Triphala , a concoction of three fruits viz., Terminalia chebula Retz, Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb and Phyllanthus emblica L., is used excessively during Loha Bhasma preparation. In this regard, this study focuses on the synthesis of Triphala churna- mediated iron nanoparticles (TC-FeNPs) and a comparison of its composition and bioactive properties with commercially available Loha Bhasma. METHODS: Characterization studies were carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, as well as antifungal activity against Candida albicans , was carried out by agar well diffusion method. Anti-cancerous activity was analyzed on MCF7 breast cancer cell lines and magnetic hyperthermia-induced anticancer activity on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. RESULTS: TEM analysis revealed the size of TC-FeNPs as ~20 nm, while the Loha Bhasma particles were relatively larger (~30 nm). TC-FeNPs and Loha Bhasma exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus , while they failed to kill Escherichia coli and C. albicans. Both the samples demonstrated anti-cancerous activity against MCF7 cells; however, the IC50 value for Loha Bhasma and TC-FeNPs was 4.517µg/ml and 7.236 µg/ml, respectively. Additionally, substantial magnetic hyperthermia-induced death of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines was observed on exposure to both iron-based nanoparticles. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that green synthesis-based iron nanoparticles could be explored for its use as an alternative for Loha Bhasma , although elaborate clinical studies must be conducted for their efficacy and safety.