Green synthesized <i>Zingiber officinale</i>-ZnO nanoparticles: anticancer efficacy against 3D breast cancer model

<b>Aim:</b> ZnO NPs were prepared via green synthesis utilizing <i>Zingiber Officinale</i>. <b>Methodology:</b> Physical characterization and biological activity were performed against 2D, and 3D spheroids MCF-7 cell lines. <b>Results:</b> The NPs exhibited 188.9, 175.7 and 171.2 nm size with charge of -8.2, -11.7 and -9.7 mV for the 2%, 3% and 4% formulations. XRD confirmed a wurtzite hexagonal phase. FTIR spectra showed Zn-O stretching vibrations. The 2%, 3% and 4% formulations presented IC₅₀ values of 14.7, 26.2 and 47 μg/ml, respectively, with complete destruction of MCF-7 spheroids. Elevated <i>TNF-α</i> levels suggested an inflammatory-mediated mechanism of action. <b>Conclusion:</b> 2% <i>Zingiber officinale</i>-derived ZnO NPs showed antitumor potential against deserving further mechanistic and <i>in vivo</i> explorations. We created tiny particles from ginger extract to test their ability to fight breast cancer. These particles were carefully studied to understand their size, stability and structure. Our tests showed that these ginger-based particles effectively killed cancer cells in a more realistic 3D model, suggesting they might be a powerful new treatment for breast cancer. Further studies are needed to explore their potential use in real-life treatments. In this study we synthesized ZnO NPs via green synthesis utilizing <i>Zingiber Officinale</i>. ZnO NPs physical characterization and biological activity evaluation against 2D and 3D spheroids MCF-7 cell lines were performed. ZnO NPs showed an average sizes of 194.6, 188.9 and 171.2 nm for the 2%, 3% and 4% formulations, respectively. The XRD, EDX and SEM analyses affirmed the successful synthesis of nanoparticles with good morphology and size. The 2%, 3% and 4% formulations presented IC₅₀ values of 14.7, 26.2 and 47 μg/ml, respectively with complete destruction of MCF-7 spheroids. Elevated levels of <i>TNF-α</i> suggesting an inflammatory-mediated mechanism of action. 2% <i>Zingiber officinale</i>-derived ZnO NPs showed an outstanding antitumor potential against MCF-7 cells deserving further mechanistic and <i>in vivo</i> explorations.

**研究目的**：采用姜（*Zingiber Officinale*）为原料，通过绿色合成法制备氧化锌纳米颗粒（ZnO NPs）。
**研究方法**：针对二维（2D）及三维球状体MCF-7细胞系开展物理表征与生物学活性检测。
**研究结果**：首次表征显示，2%、3%、4%浓度制剂对应的纳米颗粒尺寸分别为188.9 nm、175.7 nm、171.2 nm，表面电荷分别为-8.2 mV、-11.7 mV、-9.7 mV；后续完整表征显示，该三类制剂的平均尺寸分别为194.6 nm、188.9 nm、171.2 nm。X射线衍射（XRD）分析证实其为纤锌矿六方晶相；傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）谱图显示存在Zn-O伸缩振动峰；能量色散X射线光谱（EDX）与扫描电子显微镜（SEM）分析确认，纳米颗粒合成成功且具备良好的形貌与尺寸分布。2%、3%、4%浓度制剂的半最大效应浓度（IC₅₀）分别为14.7 μg/ml、26.2 μg/ml、47 μg/ml，且可完全破坏MCF-7三维球状体。肿瘤坏死因子-α（*TNF-α*）水平升高提示其抗肿瘤作用通过炎症介导通路实现。
**研究结论**：2%姜源氧化锌纳米颗粒（*Zingiber officinale*-derived ZnO NPs）展现出显著的抗MCF-7细胞肿瘤活性，值得开展进一步的机制学与体内（*in vivo*）研究。本研究通过姜提取物制备纳米颗粒以检测其抗乳腺癌能力，通过系统表征明确了该颗粒的尺寸、稳定性与结构；实验结果显示，该姜基纳米颗粒可在更贴近生理状态的三维模型中有效杀伤癌细胞，提示其有望成为新型强效乳腺癌治疗手段，未来仍需开展更多研究以探索其临床转化潜力。