Green Synthesis of TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 Nanoparticles Using Leaves Extract of Mondia Whitei and Evaluation of Their Cytotoxicity Properties

Advanced materials have emerged as viable alternative and promising remedies for cancer treatment. Nanoparticles synthesized via green routes are eco-friendly with enhanced anticancer properties. This study reports the synthesis of TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles using Mondia whitei leaves extract. Spectro-analytical techniques, including UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electron/scanning electron microscopy (TEM/SEM), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), were employed to characterize their optical, morphological, and structural properties. TiO2 showed strong absorption at 325 nm, shifting to 345 nm in Ag/TiO2 with a surface plasmon resonance peak at 440 nm. XRD confirmed the anatase phase for both nanoparticles, with crystallite sizes of 19.31 nm (TiO2) and 23.03 nm (Ag/TiO2). TEM and SEM revealed spherical morphologies. The anticancer potential was assessed using (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT assays on HeLa (cervical carcinoma) and Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) 293 cell lines. Ag/TiO2 exhibited lower IC50 values (HeLa: 38.897 µg/mL; HEK293: 56.885 µg/mL) compared to TiO2 (HeLa: 46.773 µg/mL; HEK293: 80.909 µg/mL). Fluorouracil (5-FU), a standard anticancer drug, showed greater cytotoxicity (HeLa: 17.51 µg/mL; HEK293: 6.26 µg/mL). The nanoparticles exhibited dose-dependent selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells with reduced toxicity in normal cells. Notably, this sustainable synthesis minimizes environmental impact and promotes innovative cancer treatments using natural resources. It offers a green alternative to conventional methods reliant on toxic chemicals, advancing both environmental sustainability and public health.