Bio-supported gold nanoparticles over the chitosan modified zinc oxide nanocomposite: Catalytic exploration for Sonogashira coupling reactions and its application in the treatment of glioma following the IGFBP3, STAT3, and p53 signaling pathways

One of the most environmentally friendly and green processes is the production of metal nanoparticles mediated by biopolymers and plant extracts because it is straightforward, affordable, and convenient, and it uses natural resources without the use of hazardous chemicals. The aqueous hydrogel of chitosan and strawberry fruit extract (ZnO/CSp/Au NPs) is used as a green stabilizing and reducing agent in this study to efficiently synthesize gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) supported on zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). Physical and chemical properties of the resultant nanomaterial were assessed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and elemental mapping. The surface-engineered nanocomposite’s novelty was evaluated after its catalytic activity towards the C-C coupling reaction using the Sonogashira method, which produced a variety of alkyne derivatives that had not been previously documented. Without a noticeable decrease in activity, the material was recycled seven times. The anti-glioma properties of biologically produced ZnO/CSp/Au NPs were tested against glioma cell lines. ZnO/CSp/Au NPs’ anti-glioma properties, which were dependent on both concentration and duration, were able to successfully eliminate the A-172 cancer cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Following cell death brought on by ZnO/CSp/Au NPs, the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2 is downregulated while pro-apoptotic indicators Bax and cleaved caspase-8 are overexpressed. Furthermore, in contrast to its comparable control, ZnO/CSp/Au NPs hindered colony formation. More importantly, ZnO/CSp/Au NPs’ analysis of the molecular pathway in treated cells revealed that they increased the expression of p53 and IGFBP3 while suppressing the expression of total and phosphorylated STAT3 in cells. This shows that IGFBP3, STAT3, and p53 are the major players.