Formulation, Characterization, and Cytotoxic Effect of PVA Incorporated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles of Gramine Using HCT-116 Cell Line in vitro

Background and Objectives: Globally, Colorectal cancer is the major cause of death. The current work emphasizes the synthesis of Gramine-loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated Iron Oxide nanoparticles (NPs) and the evaluation of the antiproliferative and anticancerous activity in the HCT 116 cell line. Materials and Methods: The physiochemical, structural, and morphological characteristics of synthesized Gramine loaded PVA coated Iron Oxide NPs were assessed by UV-Visible spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cytotoxic activity against HCT 116 (Colon cancer) cell line was assessed using a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT), trypan blue exclusion assay, phase contrast microscopy, Nitric Oxide (NO), Lipid Peroxidation (LPO), and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) estimation. Results: The UV spectrum revealed the synthesis of Iron Oxide NPs at the peak of 266.25 nm. The FT-IR results confirmed that Gramine was successfully conjugated and PVA was efficaciously coated to Iron Oxide NPs. The XRD data revealed that the synthesized Gramine loaded PVA coated Iron Oxide NPs are crystallite in nature. The micrograph of SEM revealed the presence of tetragonal shaped Iron Oxide NPs. In the MTT assay, the proliferation of HCT 116 cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner and the IC50 was fixed at 25 µg/mL which showed 52.68% of inhibition. In the trypan blue exclusion assay, the percentage of viable cells gradually decreased and the deformation of cells was seen in phase contrast microscopic analysis. In treated groups, the oxidative stress indicators such as NO, LPO, and ROS levels were substantially higher compared to the control. Conclusion: The synthesized Gramine loaded PVA coated Iron Oxide NPs exhibited outstanding anticancer activity against HCT 116 cell line.