Efficient biogenesis of Au nanoparticles using extract of Mentha pulegium flower: Evaluation of catalytic reduction of nitroarenes and anti-human colon cancer properties in the in vitro condition

Background: With regards to applicative, facile, green chemical research, a bio-inspired approach is being reported for the synthesis of Au nanoparticles by using Mentha pulegium flower extract. Methods The phytochemical immobilized Au NPs were characterized by advanced physicochemical techniques like Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) study. Thereafter, catalytic performance of those biomolecule functionalized Au NPs was investigated in the efficient reduction of nitroarenes over a range of substrates. To survey the anti-human colon cancer effects of gold nanoparticles, MTT assay was used on the common colon cancer cell lines i.e., colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29), colorectal carcinoma (HCT 116), ileocecal colorectal adenocarcinoma (HCT-8 [HRT-18]), and Burkitt's lymphoma (Ramos.2G6.4C10). Results The conversion was achieved in short reaction time with good to excellent yields in association with outstanding turnover frequency (TOF). In addition, the nanocomposite catalyst was easily recovered and recycled for 12 successive times without noticeable decrease in catalytic activity. Gold nanoparticles had high anti-colon cancer activities dose-dependently against HT-29, HCT 116, HCT-8 [HRT-18], and Ramos.2G6.4C10 cell lines. The best result of anti-colon cancer effects was seen in the case of the HCT 116 cell line. Conclusions It looks gold nanoparticles can be used for the treatment of several types of colon cancers in human.