Rosemary Extract and Its Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis and Arrest Cell Cycle in HT-29 Colon Cancer Cells

Colorectal malignancy is a significant reason of morbidity and mortality. Rosmarinus officinalis is a medicinal plant and used as diet. Metal nanoparticles are utilized in various fields. This study aimed to investigate if R. officinalis leaves acetone extract (ROLAExt) can kill the abnormally fast dividing cells (cancer) and not normal fast diving cells (proliferation-activated) aided by nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared using ROLAExt and characterized with UV/Vis spectrophotometry, XRD and SEM. Functional groups found in the ROLAExt and ROLAExt containing AgNPs (ROLAExt+ AgNPs) were explored using FTIR. Sugars, ROS and proteins in ROLAExt were investigated. Biological properties of ROLAExt and ROLAExt+ AgNPs including cell cycle arrest, antibacterial, induction of p53 protein, and apoptotic capacity properties were tested. Results demonstrated that AgNPs are of 75 nm in diameter. There is active biomolecules, minute amount of sugars, no protein bands, and 175.2 pg/mL ROS in ROLAExt. AgNPs increased the antibacterial activity, p53 expression, apoptosis, arrestment of HT-29 cells at G2/M phase and did not affect the fast dividing cells. ROLAExt and ROLAExt+ AgNPs were safe to the vital organs. In conclusion, R. officinalis acetone extract showed excellent effects on HT-29 cancer cells, but in the presence of AgNPs killed cancer cells and stimulated splenic cells.