Synthesis, characterization, and anticarcinogenic potent of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles via Citrus aurantium aqueous peel extract

Synthesis of nanoparticles with a green approach using plants has attracted great attention from scientific communities because of its characteristics, such as environmentally friendly and time-efficient. In this study, green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles was performed by Citrus aurantium aqueous peel extract. UV-VIS, FTIR, zeta potential, SEM, and EDX were used in characterization studies. In the UV-Vis spectrum, a heightening of the absorbance was monitored in the range of 260-390nm specific to ZnO. The mean particle size of zinc oxide NPs (ZnONPs) was characterized as 632 +/- 41nm with low polydispersity (0.174 +/- 0.055). As a result of EDX analysis, the presence of Zn in the scanned area was determined as 2.32%. The cytotoxic behaviors of ZnONPs on human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) were carried out by MTT method. It was discovered that after ZnONPs application, cell migration decreased and apoptotic cell rate increased with Hoescht/PI staining in MDA-MB-231 cells.