Easy synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Allium ampeloprasum L. aqueous extract: phytochemical characterization, in vitro antioxidant activities, and cytotoxic effects

This study introduces a sustainable approach for biosynthesizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Allium ampeloprasum extract (Aa-AuNPs) as a template, reducing agent, and stabiliser. The reaction was optimised with 2 mM gold ions and a 7.5% extract. Various analytical techniques such as UV-Vis, TEM, SEM, EDX, FTIR, DLS, and XRD confirmed the physicochemical characteristics of the Aa-AuNPs. The synthesised Aa-AuNPs exhibited significant phytochemical content and antioxidant properties; moreover, they showed in vitro cytotoxic and anti-breast cancer potentials against MDA-MB231 cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 483.9 µg/mL. These findings suggest that the biosynthesized Aa-AuNPs could be a potential adjuvant chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer treatment.