Cytotoxic potential of Curcuma caesia rhizome extract and derived gold nanoparticles in targeting breast cancer cell lines

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Liam

Breast cancer remains highly lethal, driving urgent research into alternative therapies. This study evaluates the ethnopharmacy-informed potential of Curcuma caesia (black turmeric) rhizome ethanolic extract and gold nanoparticles (GNPs) synthesized using the same extract for selective cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines. Cytotoxic effects were measured using MTT assay and compared via IC50 values. Nanoparticle synthesis and capping were characterized by UV–Vis, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and TGA. Results indicate stronger potency of extract-mediated GNPs, especially against MDA MB-231 (TNBC).

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Materials and Methods

Nanoparticle Synthesis and Characterization

Cytotoxicity Results

Biological Selectivity and Therapeutic Implications

[www. nature.com/scientificreports](www. nature.com/scientificreports) OPEN Cytotoxic potential of Curcuma caesia rhizome extract and derived gold nanoparticles in targeting breast cancer cell lines Ajoy Kumar Das1,2*, Maina Borah3, Jon Jyoti Kalita2 & Utpal Bora2* Among all types of cancer, breast cancer is the most aggressive, as it is responsible for most of the cancer related death of women. Though several medical therapies are available, the scenario of curing such disease is not favorable. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find alternatives to deal with it. The knowledge of ethnopharmacy might give some better solution to mitigate such deadly diseases. Here, we are using the rhizome of Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Black turmeric), as well as gold nanoparticles (GNPs) synthesized with it to check their specific cytotoxic potentiality against breast cancer cell lines. In our study, ethanolic extract was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the rhizome. GNPs were synthesized by using the same extract and characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The TEM, XRD, FTIR andTGA results revealed the successful synthesis and capping of GNPs. The UV–Vis Spectrum showed a sharp and narrow absorption peak at 550 nm and HRTEM confirmed both the stability and successful synthesis of the nanoparticles. The MTT assay of the crude extract revealed strong cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines viz. MCF-7 (ER+) and MDA MB-231 (Triple Negative Breast Cancer, TNBC) by showing IC50 values as 15.70 ± 0.029 and 21.57 ± 0.031 μg/mL respectively. For extract mediated GNPs, the IC50 values were found to be 6.44 ± 0.045 and 5.87 ± 0.031μg/mL respectively in both breast cancer cell lines. As the IC50 value for GNPs was found to be much lower than that of crude extract, it indicates a higher efficiency of the GNP. However, both the rhizome extract and its mediated GNPs showed more toxicity towards MDA MB-231 (TNBC) cell lines. It was also observed that the GNPs showed more toxicity towards TNBC cell lines compared to the rhizome extract. No toxicity was found in case of other cell lines such as L 929 and HeLa for both crude extract as well as for GNPs. These observations suggests that both the crude rhizome extract and its derived GNPs exhibit selective cytotoxic potential against breast cancer cell lines, which might be exploited for target specific treatment. Moreover, with an understanding of the mechanism behind the GNPs therapeutic efficiency, it can be developed as a personalized therapy to treat such type of cancers. Keywords Breast cancer, Cytotoxicity, Black turmeric, GNPs Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Black turmeric) is a perennial herb and is endemic to North East and central India1. It is widely cultivated in South East Asian countries and the rhizome of this plant is extensively used in folk medicine in this region2,3. The rhizome of black turmeric contain sar-turmerone,(Z)-ocimene,camphor,1, 8-cineole, borneol, elemene, bornyl acetate, curcuzederonear-curcumene,and curcumin as the mainelements4,5. It is used for curing myriad of ailments including cancer, haemorrhoids, epilepsy, leprosy, impotency, gonorrhoea and asthma etc. It is also used as central nervous system (CNS) depressant, locomotor depressant and smooth muscle relaxant6–9. Curcuminoid and curcuzederone, which are the major component of the rhizome of this species, are used particularly in breast cancer treatment10–13. The in-vivo antitumor activity of ethanolic extract of Curcuma caesia rhizome and cucurzederone (one of its compound) has already been reported against Ehrlich ascites 1Department of Botany, Arya Vidyapeeth College (Autonomous), Gopinath Nagar, Guwahati, Assam 781 016, India. 2Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781 039, India. 3D

FAQs

What plant materials and nanoparticle type were used in the study?

The study used Curcuma caesia rhizome ethanolic extract and gold nanoparticles (GNPs) synthesized using the same extract.

How were the gold nanoparticles characterized to confirm successful synthesis?

Characterization included UV–Vis spectroscopy, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and TGA, with results indicating successful synthesis and capping.

Which breast cancer cell line showed higher toxicity from the extract and GNPs?

Both the rhizome extract and the derived GNPs showed more toxicity toward MDA MB-231 (TNBC) than MCF-7 (ER+).

Did the GNPs and crude extract affect other tested cell lines?

No toxicity was found for other cell lines such as L929 and HeLa for both the crude extract and the GNPs.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Liam