Abstract
This study is aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) by Artemisia scoparia extract and explore their cytotoxic behavior against Huh-7 liver cancer cells. The green-synthesized ZnO NPs were investigated using UV–Vis, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, FESEM, EDX, DLS, and Zeta potential. The anti-cancer activity of ZnO NPs and plant extract against cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry. The expression of apoptotic genes was assessed by qPCR. The average size of the ZnO NPs was 9.00 ± 4.00 nm. The A. scoparia extract and spherical ZnO NPs both inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in Huh-7 cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values of ZnO NPs and extract were 10.26 and 310.24 µg/mL, respectively. The ZnO NPs also upregulated pro-apoptotic genes while downregulating anti-apoptotic genes. Considering the anti-cancer features of the ZnO NPs, it seems that the green-synthesized ZnO NPs have strong anti-cancer potential