Biogenic Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using <em>Scabiosa palaestina</em> Extract: Characterization, Anticancer, and Antioxidant Activities

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are promising materials for the development of novel anticancer agents, and their green synthesis has become essential due to their numerous advantages. This study aimed to synthesize AuNPs using an ethanolic extract of Scabiosa palaestina, characterize their physicochemical properties, and evaluate their anticancer properties as well as their antioxidant potential. AuNPs were successfully synthesized and characterized using UV–Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The results indicated that the biosynthesized AuNPs were spherical and well-dispersed, exhibiting an absorption peak at 560 nm and an average size of 9.9 nm. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on MDA-MB-231, Capan-2, HCT116, and 22Rv1 cancer cell lines, with 22Rv1 and MDA-MB-231 cells showing the most potent responses. At the highest concentration tested (100 µg/ml) after 72 hours, cell viability was reduced to 16.04 ± 1.8% for 22Rv1 and 17.48 ± 8.3% for MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, the AuNPs exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity in both DPPH and H2O2 scavenging assays. In summary, the synthesized AuNPs demonstrated multifunctional properties that make them suitable for a wide range of biomedical and biotechnological applications.