Biogenic Synthesis and Characterization of <scp> <i>Hypecoum pendulum</i> </scp> Mediated Silver Nanoparticles: Revealed Outstanding Anticancer and Genotoxic Potentials

Fabrication of silver nanoparticles by green approach is the most effective and eco-friendly technique in recent technologies. The current study aimed to generate a simple, valid, and justifiable method for biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (HP-AgNPs) using aqueous extract of Hypecoum pendulum L.(HP) and to assess their in vitro anticancer and genotoxic potentials on baby hamster kidney cell (BHK-21) and human blood lymphocytes using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-)-2,5-di-phenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and alkaline comet assay, respectively. HP-AgNP characterization was done using UV-vis spectrometry, EDX, SEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques. The crystalline nature of HP-AgNPs with a particle size of 36.3 nm was assessed using the XRD technique. The surface morphologies with a particle size of 80 nm were verified by SEM analysis. UV spectroscopy verified the existence of HP-AgNPs by yielding a sharp peak at 417 nm with an absorbance intensity of 1.54. FTIR assessment revealed the existence of different functional moieties that contribute to the HP-AgNPs stabilization and reduction. Similarly, EDX analysis revealed Ag as a principal element (49%). MTT assay showed significant cytotoxicity by Doxorubicin and HP-AgNPs with a smaller IC₅₀ value of 104.21 ± 4.33 and 134.91 ± 6.33 μg/mL correlated to HP extract (229.84 ± 4.66 μg/mL). The outcomes of the comet assay revealed potential DNA damage in a positive trend with concentration (25-600 μg/mL). HP-AgNP-treated lymphocytes showed higher DNA damage as compared to HP extract-treated cells, but less damage as compared to a positive control, H₂O₂. These outcomes showed that HP-AgNPs have demonstrated promising anticancer and genotoxic action than HP extract due to their size and shape.