Abstract
BACKGROUND: The green synthesis of nanoparticles through algae-mediated processes offers an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and scalable approach for producing nanomaterials with potential applications in cancer therapy. The present study investigated the algae-mediated green synthesis of dextran-coated titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO(2)NPs) and evaluated their cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. METHODS: Chlorella vulgaris was isolated and identified. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene was used to confirm the isolate. Dextran from C. vulgaris was used to prepare coated TiO(2)NPs), characterized using three techniques. The cytotoxicity of the dextran-coated TiO2NPs was evaluated using the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay on MCF7- breast cancer cells at various concentrations (25, 50, and 75%) and exposure times (24, 48, and 72 hours). The bioactive compounds in the algal extract were also identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: Chlorella vulgaris was successfully isolated as confirmed by the 345-bp PCR-amplified fragment. The characterization of the TiO(2)NPs confirmed the successful nanoparticle formation. A cluster of nanocrystalline particles had an average diameter of 71.44 nm. Compositional analysis revealed 15.85% atomic percentage for titanium. The dextran-coated TiO2NPs exhibited an impressive cytotoxicity rate of up to 99% at optimal concentration (25%) and exposure time (48 hours). Additionally, GC-MS analysis identified bioactive compounds in the algal extract, such as fatty acids, which may contribute to the observed anticancer effects. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the potential of algae-mediated TiO(2)NPs in cancer co-therapy, enhancing treatment effectiveness and reducing the side effects of traditional therapies.