Green-synthesized Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles with Pyrogallol functionalization: A novel approach using cow dung extract for anticancer applications

Growing interest has been shown in the environment friendly synthesis of metal nanoparticles, yet no published research exists on synthesizing titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) using cow dung extract (CD). In this manuscript, we synthesized TiO2NPs using CD extract (CD-TiO2) and functionalized them with pyrogallol (P-CD-TiO2). The physicochemical characteristics of the TiO2NPs were evaluated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The qualitative analysis of CD extract and biological activities of CD-TiO2 and P-CD-TiO2 were evaluated. The potential anticancer activity was examined in vitro against Hep3B using the MTT assay. The hydrodynamic size of CD-TiO2 and P-CD-TiO2NPs were 147.9nm and 183.4nm, respectively. The CD-TiO2 and P-CD-TiO2 were spherical in shape, with an average size ranging from 32nm to 48nm. CD-TiO2 and P-CD-TiO2 showed anti-hemolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, and significant cytotoxicity against Hep3B cells. The IC50 of CD-TiO2 was 379.9 μg/mL, while P-CD-TiO2 showed a significantly higher cytotoxic with an IC50 of 31.98 μg/mL. The results revealed that CD extract is effective reducing agents for TiO2 nanoparticles synthesis. Notably, the green-synthesized P-CD-TiO2NPs exhibited promising anticancer potential in concentration-dependent manner while being safe for red blood cells.