Green synthesized Zingiber officinale-ZnO nanoparticles: anticancer efficacy against 3D breast cancer model

Aim: ZnO NPs were prepared via green synthesis utilizing Zingiber Officinale. Methodology: Physical characterization and biological activity were performed against 2D, and 3D spheroids MCF-7 cell lines. Results: The NPs exhibited 188.9, 175.7 and 171.2 nm size with charge of -8.2, -11.7 and -9.7 mV for the 2%, 3% and 4% formulations. XRD confirmed a wurtzite hexagonal phase. FTIR spectra showed Zn-O stretching vibrations. The 2%, 3% and 4% formulations presented IC50 values of 14.7, 26.2 and 47 μg/ml, respectively, with complete destruction of MCF-7 spheroids. Elevated TNF-α levels suggested an inflammatory-mediated mechanism of action. Conclusion: 2% Zingiber officinale-derived ZnO NPs showed antitumor potential against deserving further mechanistic and in vivo explorations. We created tiny particles from ginger extract to test their ability to fight breast cancer. These particles were carefully studied to understand their size, stability and structure. Our tests showed that these ginger-based particles effectively killed cancer cells in a more realistic 3D model, suggesting they might be a powerful new treatment for breast cancer. Further studies are needed to explore their potential use in real-life treatments. In this study we synthesized ZnO NPs via green synthesis utilizing Zingiber Officinale. ZnO NPs physical characterization and biological activity evaluation against 2D and 3D spheroids MCF-7 cell lines were performed. ZnO NPs showed an average sizes of 194.6, 188.9 and 171.2 nm for the 2%, 3% and 4% formulations, respectively. The XRD, EDX and SEM analyses affirmed the successful synthesis of nanoparticles with good morphology and size. The 2%, 3% and 4% formulations presented IC50 values of 14.7, 26.2 and 47 μg/ml, respectively with complete destruction of MCF-7 spheroids. Elevated levels of TNF-α suggesting an inflammatory-mediated mechanism of action. 2% Zingiber officinale-derived ZnO NPs showed an outstanding antitumor potential against MCF-7 cells deserving further mechanistic and in vivo explorations.