Euphorbia pulcherrima leaves facilitated preparation of silver/silver chloride nanoparticles with antioxidant and in vivo anticancer potentials against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

The study investigates the use of Euphorbia pulcherrima leaves as natural reducers for producing silver and silver chloride nanoparticles (EP-Ag/AgCl-NPs), assessing their safety, free radical scavenging activity, and anticancer potential against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in mice. EP-Ag/AgCl-NPs formation was verified by a color change from light green to dark brown. UV–Vis tests found An spr peak at 410 nm. The FT-IR analysis identified the functional groups responsible for reducing and stabilizing the nanoparticle. The spherical shape and nano size of EP-Ag/AgCl-NPs were confirmed by XRD, DLS, and SEM analysis. The study found that EP-Ag/AgCl-NPs, with EC₅₀ values of 81.47 μg/mL (DPPH) and 92.77 μg/mL (ABTS), moderately scavenged free radicals compared to vitamin C. Hemolysis tests revealed that nanoparticles are not safe for blood when compared to the recommended value of below 5 %. In cancer studies, EP-Ag/AgCl-NPs reduced tumor cell growth and weight loss in mice with EAC. They also helped restore normal blood and organ functions. Microscopic examination of treated cancer cells showed signs of apoptotic cell death, with increased levels of p53 and Bax genes. Meanwhile, anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2 and NF-κB) were suppressed. These findings imply that plant-based EP-Ag/AgCl-NPs might be useful in developing strong treatments for cancer.