Tinospora cordifolia Stem Extract-mediated Green Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles and its Biological Applications

Background: According to a literature review Tinospora cordifolia possess alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, and steroids with anti-cancer potential. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence on the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles from the stem of T. cordifolia and its biological activities. Objectives: This study is intended to synthesize Selenium Nanoparticles using T. cordifolia stem extract, characterise them, and evaluate them in-vitro for antioxidant and anticancer activity. Materials and Methods: The T. cordifolia Selenium Nanoparticles (TC-SeNPs) were synthesised by reducing selenious acid with T. cordifolia stem extract. TC-SeNPs were characterized by UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, EDAX and ICP-AES, further evaluated for in-vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH free radical scavenging test and reducing power capacity. The MTT assay of TC-SeNP was carried out in-vitro in the human breast cancer cells line (MCF-7) to determine the anticancer activity. Results: The UV-spectroscopy of TC-SeNPs showed maximum absorbance at 285 nm, which is the characteristic feature of SeNP. According to DLS, SEM, and TEM images, the size of TC-SeNPs was between 100-200 nm and was stable with a Zeta potential of -23.9mV. XRD analysis confirmed the crystallinity of TC-SeNPs. Selenium in TC-SeNP was verified in EDAX analysis (63.36% weight) and ICP-AES 68.08 ±12.2 μg/ml selenium content. The IC50 value 28.62 ± 0.63 μg/mL and EC50 (62.50 ± 1.21 μg/mL) values indicated that the TC-SeNPs possess significant antioxidant capacity. MTT assay showed TC-SeNPs were cytotoxic to MCF-7 cell with IC50 values (31.29 ± 0.22μg/mL), suggesting that TC-SeNPs display moderate cytotoxicity that could dose-dependently inhibit cell proliferation. Conclusion: Thus, experimental evidence provides insight into the successful synthesis of the selenium nanoparticle from the stem of T. cordifolia, its potential therapeutic value, and the prospect of developing an anti-cancer TC-SeNPs formulation.