Microwave assisted synthesis and bioactive potential of folic acid functionalized tellurium nanoparticles (FA@Te NPs) against HeLa cancer cells

Chemotherapy is currently one of the most effective treatments for cancer, but it is often accompanied by nonspecific toxicity and drug resistance. Nanostructures, particularly tellurium-based ones, have anticancer potential, but further research is needed to determine their biological activities. Adding targeting molecules to such nanoparticles, such as folic acid, may increase their efficacy and selectivity. This study focused on the synthesis of folic acid-incorporated tellurium nanoparticles (FA@Te NPs) using a microwave-assisted method involving a K2TeO3 solution (1 mM) with NaBH4 and folic acid. The synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed using various techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The nanoparticles, predominantly hexagonal and ranging in size from 3.9 nm to 11 nm, were then subjected to in vitro tests to assess their antioxidant activities, hemocompatibility, and cytotoxic effects. The FA@Te NPs demonstrated superior DPPH scavenging activity compared to bare Te NPs across concentrations from 20 µg/mL to 1280 µg/mL. Hemolytic tests revealed that FA@Te NPs had a significantly higher hemolytic potential than Te NPs at concentrations between 20 and 40 µg/mL. The IC50 values for HeLa cells treated with FA@Te NPs, Te NPs, and Cisplatin for 24 h were found to be 767.6 ± 8.8 µg/mL, 1399.5 ± 5.2 µg/mL, and 142.7 ± 4.6 µg/mL, respectively. Exposure to IC50 concentrations of FA@Te NPs and Te NPs resulted in a significant increase in necrosis and late-stage apoptosis in HeLa cells, highlighting the strong cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles. Further research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms underlying the activities of FA@Te NPs.