Green production and characterization of gold nanoparticles with Capparis spinosa extract and assessment of their efficacy against HCT-116 colon cancer cells

Capparis spinosa is native to the deserts of Najaf and Muthanna. Its bioactive compounds make it appropriate for different therapeutic uses in indigenous traditional medicine. The leaves of the plant were extracted by alcohol and the therapeutic efficacy and identification of active compounds were done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The investigation revealed that the ethanolic extract was rich in bioactive compounds including phenols, coumarins, fatty acid esters and terpene derivatives. Then, the AuNPs were synthesised by green method. The synthesis was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak was found at 528 nm and the particle size was found to be 68.3 ± 4.2 nm by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The particle size distribution was evaluated by using multi dispersion index (PDI). The PDI value obtained was 0.313 ± 0.02. The zeta potential was measured at −27.7 ± 1.5 mV, indicating an acceptable colloidal stability. Furthermore, the analysis of transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of spherical nanoparticles. ranging from 52 to 74 nm with minimal aggregation. The cytotoxicity assays showed that the extract was more efficacious to cause cell death, as compared to the crude extract with IC50 values of 47.8 ± 2.0 and 102.5 ± 3.7 µg/ml, respectively. The present results suggest the potential therapeutic efficacy of biosynthesised gold nanoparticles from Capparis spinosa as anticancer therapy.