Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Conventional therapies often face limitations, including severe side effects, drug resistance, and non-specificity. Nanotechnology offers a promising alternative, and Bryophyllum pinnatum, known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, provides a sustainable source of bioactive compounds for nanoparticle-based therapeutics. Bryophyllum pinnatum-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (BPCNPnp) were synthesized using the ionic gelation method and characterized for their physicochemical and biological properties. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified eight bioactive compounds in the extract, including alpha-linolenic acid, oleic acid, and ethyl palmitate. The nanoparticles exhibited a particle size of 116.7 nm, a zeta potential of +28.84 mV, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.25, indicating enhanced stability and uniformity. Compared to conventional chitosan nanoparticles (CNPnp), BPCNPnp demonstrated superior DPPH radical scavenging capacity, with an IC₅₀ value of 4.26 mg/mL, closely matching ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 4.00 mg/mL), while CNPnp showed an IC₅₀ of 5.32 mg/mL. The nanoparticles exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones up to 17.33 ± 1.52 mm for Klebsiella pneumoniae and 15.66 ± 1.15 mm for Escherichia coli at 8000 µg/mL. Antifungal activity was observed against Aspergillus niger, with an inhibition zone of 15.70 ± 0.57 mm. Cytotoxicity and MTT assays revealed dose- and time-dependent antiproliferative effects on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, reducing cell viability by 66% at 24 h and 42% at 48 h at 300 µg/mL, compared to 76% and 66% reductions for CNPnp.These findings demonstrate the superior stability, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial efficacy, and anticancer potential of BPCNPnp, making it a promising nanoplatform for addressing challenges in oxidative stress, antimicrobial resistance, and cancer treatment.
Ahmad Muazu Shehu and Erkay Özgör