Bioactivity assessments of phyco-assisted synthesized selenium nanoparticles by aqueous extract of green seaweed, <i>Ulva fasciata</i>

Abstract

Currently, diverse forms of selenium featuring extensive bioactivities have drawn much attention as nutrients for the body's normal functioning. The synthesis of cost-effective and eco-friendly selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) was accomplished using aqueous extract of Ulva fasciata (UF extract) as reducing and capping agents. SEM and TEM imaging, FTIR and UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD and EDX analysis, and DLS and zeta potential measurements were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of UF-SeNPs. The biological activity of UF-SeNPs was evaluated on MDA-MB-231, including cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and necrotic induction. UF-SeNPs were also examined for antibacterial efficacy against gram-positive and negative pathogens. Based on SEM, TEM, and XRD analyses, UF-SeNPs were found to get an amorphous structure size of 20-50 nm. Combining UF-SeNPs with chloramphenicol (10 mu g/ml) demonstrated synergistic effects against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa with MIC values of 125 and 250 mu g/ml, respectively. UF-SeNPs exhibited the highest caspase-3/7 activity at doses around the IC50 (11 mu g/ml), and the matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 (MMP-2 and 9) were severely inhibited and lactate dehydrogenase leakage was enhanced. Our findings indicate that UF extract can be useful as a source of nanoparticles with interesting biological properties, especially as an effective anticancer agent.