Biologically synthesized green gold nanoparticles from <i>Siberian ginseng</i> induce growth-inhibitory effect on melanoma cells (B16)

<i>Siberian ginseng</i>, perennial herb belongs to Araliaceae family used in traditional medicines to treat hypertension, thrombus, inflammation and cancer. In the present study, we biosynthesized goldnanoparticles using <i>Siberian ginseng</i> aqeous extract in a cost effective manner. The synthesized <i>Siberian ginseng</i> gold nanoparticle (SG-GNPs) were characterized using UV-Vis spec, HR-TEM, XRD, FTIR, SAED analysis. UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis showed a surface Plasmon resonance peak at 538 nm which does not reduce till 30 days of incubation. The results of HR-TEM, XRD and SAED confirm the spherical shape, crystalline nature and the size of the synthesized gold nanoparticles. The FTIR results prove that the biological components present in the <i>Siberian ginseng</i> had reduced the gold ions to synthesis gold nanoparticles. After characterization, the efficacy of SG-GNPS against the melanoma, a deadliest skin carcinoma, was assessed <i>in vitro</i> using B16 murine melanoma cells. The CC50 dose of SG-GNPs against B16 cells were assessed with MTT assay and the anticancer activity was evaluated using Rhodamine 123, H2DCFDA and dual staining techniques. The induction of apoptosis by SG-GNPs against melanoma cells were confirmed with q-PCR analysis. The results of staining techniques prove that SG-GNPs increase the reactive oxygen species and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. It is further confirmed by the results of q-PCR analysis which shows increased apoptotic Bid, Bad, Casp3, Casp 9 genes and decreased antiapoptotic Bcl2 gene expression in SG-GNPs treated cells. Our results authentically prove the biosynthesized SG-GNPs induces apoptosis in melanoma cells and it possesses anticancer property.