Green-Synthesized Mimosa pudica-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles Suppress Proliferation and Induce Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, creating a continuing need for safer, affordable, and sustainable therapeutic strategies. Green-synthesized metallic nanoparticles have gained considerable attention in cancer nanomedicine because plant-derived phytochemicals can facilitate nanoparticle synthesis and stabilization while contributing to their biological activity. Mimosa pudica L., a medicinal plant rich in bioactive phytoconstituents, is a potential source for developing plant-mediated nanomaterials.This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles using M. pudica leaf extract (MP-AgNPs), characterize their physicochemical properties, evaluate their antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities against MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, and investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying their cytotoxic effects.MP-AgNPs were synthesized using M. pudica leaf extract and characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, DLS, zeta potential analysis, XRD, SEM, and TEM. We evaluated antioxidant activity using DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging assays. The anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects of MP-AgNPs were assessed in MDA-MB-231 cells using MTT and LDH release assays. Apoptotic alterations were evaluated by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) and DAPI staining, while mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed using Rhodamine 123 staining. In addition, the expression of genes associated with apoptosis, cell-cycle regulation, and metastasis was investigated to elucidate the molecular basis of MP-AgNP-mediated anti-proliferative activity.The formation of MP-AgNPs was confirmed by a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 420 nm. FTIR analysis indicated the involvement of phytochemical functional groups in nanoparticle synthesis and stabilization. The nanoparticles exhibited good colloidal stability, with a zeta potential of -33.32 mV, while XRD confirmed their crystalline nature. MP-AgNPs demonstrated concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with EC₅₀ values of 37.93 ± 1.21 µg/mL and 56.68 ± 1.48 µg/mL in DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. Treatment with MP-AgNPs significantly reduced MDA-MB-231 cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner (IC₅₀ = 41.59 ± 2.40 µg/mL) and increased LDH release. AO/EB and DAPI staining revealed characteristic apoptotic features, including chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, membrane blebbing, and apoptotic body formation. Rhodamine 123 staining demonstrated reduced mitochondrial fluorescence following treatment, indicating mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Furthermore, MP-AgNP treatment differentially modulated genes associated with apoptosis, cell-cycle regulation, and metastasis suppression, further supporting their anti-proliferative activity. M. pudica-mediated silver nanoparticles exhibited substantial antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Their cytotoxic effects were associated with increased LDH release, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, apoptotic nuclear alterations, and modulation of genes involved in apoptosis, cell-cycle regulation, and metastasis. These findings highlight M. pudica-mediated AgNPs as a promising plant-based nanomaterial for further investigation in breast cancer nanomedicine. Further in-vivo and mechanistic studies are warranted to establish their therapeutic efficacy, selectivity, and safety. Keywords: Mimosa pudica; silver nanoparticles; breast cancer; MDA-MB-231; mitochondrial apoptosis
Authors: Yadav, P K, Kumari, R, Kumar, P, Bharti, V, Ghosh, M
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7212258478
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