Microwave Assisted Biosynthesis of Cadmium Nanoparticles: Characterization, Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Studies

The main aim of this study was to determine physicochemical, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties of cadmium nanoparticles (Cd NPs) produced using Artemisia persica extract combined with microwave irradiation (850 W). The obtained results showed that the Cd NPs were hexagonal in shape and their size was in the range of 11.2-18.6 nm. The attained results of antioxidant activity showed that at concentrations ranging from 10 to 2560 mu g mL(-1), there was no considerable difference between scavenging effect of Cd NPs and ascorbic acid (p > 0.05). For A549, 3T3, HT-29, MCF-7, and U87 cells exposed to Cd NPs, the IC50 was measured to be 47.2 +/- 1.2 mu g mL(-1), 10.6 +/- 1 mu g mL(-1), 133.5 +/- 1.3 mu g mL(-1), 1.8 +/- 0.7 mu g mL(-1), and 62.9 +/- 3.3 mu g mL(-1), respectively. Generally, Cd NPs exhibited lower cytotoxicity and higher antioxidant effect in comparison to cadmium ions which further studies should perform to find about the related mechanisms.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties of Cd NPs produced using Artemisia persica extract combined with microwave irradiation. The results showed that Cd NPs exhibited similar antioxidant effects to ascorbic acid and varied in cytotoxicity across different cell lines. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.