Synergistic effect of silver doped ZnO nanomaterials enhances the anticancer potential against A459 lung cancer cells

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver (0.3 wt% and 0.6 wt%) doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized for studying their anticancer potential against lung cancer cells. Methods: Chemical co-precipitation route is used to synthesized the nanomaterials and characterized by different analytical techniques such as X-rays diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Anticancer activity is evaluated on A459 lung cancer cells. Results: XRD pattern reveals the development of (100), (002) and (101) diffraction peaks related to ZnO hexagonal phase. The change in peak intensity and crystalline size are strongly dependent on the silver contents in the ZnO lattice. The Raman bands appeared at 383, 436 and 578 cm−1 wave number are related to ZnO phase confirming the existence of chemical bond between Zn and O. The SEM microstructures reveal the formation of aggregates and flakes like morphologies. Optical absorption of ZnO is blue shifted upon addition of silver atoms. Conclusion: Anticancer activity of synthesized nanomaterials has shown that 0.3 wt% Ag doped ZnO presents higher cell inhibition (72.86%) against A459 lung cancer cells.

Keywords

• Ag doped ZnO
• Nanomaterials
• Characterization
• Anticancer activity
• A459 lungs cancer cells