Evaluating the Cytotoxic Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Derived from Rubus ellipticus against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive and therapeutically challenging subtype of breast cancer, highlighting the need for safer and effective treatment alternatives. Present study was planned to phytofabricate silver nanoparticles using the aqueous leaf extract of Rubus ellipticus via an eco-friendly green synthesis approach and to validate their anticancer potential against TNBC. Formation of Rubus ellipticus Sm. derived silver nanoparticles (REAgNPs) was confirmed by a visible color change and a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 422nm in UV–Vis spectroscopy. Comprehensive characterization using FTIR, SEM, EDX, TEM, SAED, AFM, XRD and zeta potential analysis revealed stable, spherical, crystalline nanoparticles with an average particle size of 10–30 nm, as determined from TEM measurements. REAgNPs exhibited a potential antioxidant activity in DPPH and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. In vitro cytotoxicity studies demonstrated a concentration-dependent antiproliferative effect against MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 30.12µg/mL, comparable to the standard chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil. Mechanistic investigations revealed that REAgNPs-induced cytotoxicity involved mitochondrial membrane depolarization, nuclear and DNA damage, phosphatidylserine externalization, G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest and caspase-3 activation, confirming apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway. This study highlights Rubus ellipticus derived silver nanoparticles as promising eco-friendly nanotherapeutic candidates for triple-negative breast cancer, warranting further in vivo validation and safety evaluation.