Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Phoenix dactylifera seed extract and its anticancer effect against human lung adenocarcinoma cells

Herein, we are reporting green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (PD-AgNPs) using seed extract of Phoenix dactylifera and its anticancer effects in human lung adenocarcinoma, A-549 cell line. The synthesized PD-AgNPs were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Frontier transmission infrared. The synthesized PD-AgNPs were with an average size of ∼14 nm and spherical. The PD-AgNPs were further scrutinized for its anticancer activity. The anticancer effect of PD-AgNPs (0–100 μg/ml) was assessed by MTT, NRU, and morphological assays in A-549 cells. The results showed that PD-AgNPs-exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in A-549 cells with IC50 value of 9.27 μg/mL. Further to explore the mechanism(s) involved in the PD-AgNPs-induced A-459 cell death; ROS generation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis studies were performed. According to the results, PD-AgNPs-induced ROS generation and mitochondrial membrane potential in A-549 cells. Furthermore, an increase in subG1 phase arrest and late apoptotic cells confirmed that PD-AgNPs-induced A-549 cell death. Collectively, this study established that biosynthesized PD-AgNPs possesses anticancer effect via the induction of ROS-mediated apoptosis in A-549 cells. [Display omitted] •Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (PD-AgNPs) using Phoenix dactylifera extract.•Characterization of PD-AgNPs using UV–Vis, FTIR, TEM, SEM, EDX and XRD techniques.•PD-AgNPs-induced a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in A-549 cells.•PD-AgNPs-induced ROS generation and mitochondrial membrane potential in A-549 cells.•PD-AgNPs-induced apoptotic cell death through subG1 cell cycle arrest in A-549 cells.