Cytotoxic Effect of Zinc Oxide and Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized From Orobanche Picridis on Lung Cancer as Well as Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties

Abstract

Orobanche picridis represents a fascinating example of an obligate parasitic plant due to its lack of chlorophyll. It is of significant interest to botanists, ecologists, and biologists because of its complex parasitic lifestyle and specific host preferences. The purpose of this work was to generate zinc oxide (OrZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) and selenium (OrSe) nanoparticles from O. picridis and examine their characterization as well as their antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant characteristics. To this purpose, the produced NPs were characterized utilizing a scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of OrZnO and OrSe NPs was assessed employing the disc diffusion and agar well diffusion methods, while in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed through three different assays: DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS. The MTT assay was utilized to ascertain the cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles against lung cancer, and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining was carried out to analyze morphological and DNA alterations in these cells. Consequently, the synthesized OrZnO NPs exhibited stronger antibacterial capabilities than the OrSe NPs, while both demonstrated antioxidant properties. In addition to their potent cytotoxic action, both NPs induced apoptosis by altering the DNA and shape of the lung cancer (A549) cells. © 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.