Green synthesis of Annona muricata mediated silver nanoparticles: Physicochemical characterization and apoptosis driven anticancer activity against PA-1 ovarian cancer cells

Abstract

An environmentally acceptable and sustainable method for biomedical applications is the green production of nanoparticles using biomolecules produced from plants. The novelty of this study lies in the utilization of Annona muricata peel, an underutilized plant-derived resource, as a natural source of reducing and stabilizing phytochemicals for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), followed by their physicochemical characterization and evaluation of apoptosis-driven anticancer activity against PA-1 ovarian cancer cells. Using UV–vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, EDX, zeta potential, and GC-MS studies, the production of AgNPs was verified by a discernible color shift. The produced nanoparticles had a spherical shape, were crystalline, and were stable. Concentration-dependent suppression of PA-1 cell viability was shown by cytotoxicity evaluation using the MTT test, with an IC 50 value of roughly 25–30 µg/mL following a 24-hour treatment. Annexin V-FITC labelling in flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the induction of apoptosis in treated cells. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited crystalline nature, spherical morphology, and good stability. Cytotoxicity assessment using the MTT assay demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of PA-1 cell viability, with an IC₅₀ value of approximately 25–30 µg/mL after 24 h treatment. Flow cytometric analysis using Annexin V-FITC staining revealed apoptosis induction in treated cells. The results suggest that A. muricata peel-mediated AgNPs possess significant anticancer potential and may serve as promising candidates for future nanobiotechnology and cancer therapeutic applications.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Next Materials, 2026 · DOI ↗