Eco-friendly synthesis of Balanites aegyptiaca-derived selenium nanoparticles: extract and assessment of their anticancer, antimicrobial, cytogenetic and molecular docking insights

Mohamed I.M. El-Zaidy; Heba G. Ayoub; Gehan El-Akabawy; Amira A. Ibrahim; Mohamed Abdel-Haleem

doi:10.1038/s41598-026-35358-z

Eco-friendly synthesis of Balanites aegyptiaca-derived selenium nanoparticles: extract and assessment of their anticancer, antimicrobial, cytogenetic and molecular docking insights

Mohamed I.M. El-Zaidy
, Heba G. Ayoub
, Gehan El-Akabawy
, Amira A. Ibrahim
, Mohamed Abdel-Haleem

Zagazig University
High Technological Institute for Applied Health Sciences
Menoufia University
Arish University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study reports the eco-friendly synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using the methanolic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca mesocarp and evaluates their biological activities. The synthesized spherical SeNPs (average size: 2.82 nm) were characterized by TEM, FESEM, and UV–Vis spectroscopy, confirming that phenolic compounds serve as both reducing and stabilizing agents. HPLC analysis revealed eight major phenolics, with gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and daidzein being the predominant compounds. The SeNPs exhibited strong cytotoxicity against HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 30.03 µg/mL), potent antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis, and induced concentration-dependent cytogenetic effects in Vicia faba root tips. Molecular docking studies suggested that phenolic compounds effectively interact with the CDK4 active site, supporting their potential anticancer properties. These findings highlight B. aegyptiaca-derived SeNPs as promising candidates for biomedical applications.

Original language	English
Article number	4721
Journal	Scientific Reports
Volume	16
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-35358-z
State	Published - Dec 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Anticancer activity
Antimicrobial activity
Balanites aegyptiaca
Chromosomal aberrations
Phenolic compounds
SeNPs

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10.1038/s41598-026-35358-z

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title = "Eco-friendly synthesis of Balanites aegyptiaca-derived selenium nanoparticles: extract and assessment of their anticancer, antimicrobial, cytogenetic and molecular docking insights",

abstract = "This study reports the eco-friendly synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using the methanolic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca mesocarp and evaluates their biological activities. The synthesized spherical SeNPs (average size: 2.82 nm) were characterized by TEM, FESEM, and UV–Vis spectroscopy, confirming that phenolic compounds serve as both reducing and stabilizing agents. HPLC analysis revealed eight major phenolics, with gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and daidzein being the predominant compounds. The SeNPs exhibited strong cytotoxicity against HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 30.03 µg/mL), potent antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis, and induced concentration-dependent cytogenetic effects in Vicia faba root tips. Molecular docking studies suggested that phenolic compounds effectively interact with the CDK4 active site, supporting their potential anticancer properties. These findings highlight B. aegyptiaca-derived SeNPs as promising candidates for biomedical applications.",

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author = "El-Zaidy, \{Mohamed I.M.\} and Ayoub, \{Heba G.\} and Gehan El-Akabawy and Ibrahim, \{Amira A.\} and Mohamed Abdel-Haleem",

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doi = "10.1038/s41598-026-35358-z",

language = "English",

volume = "16",

journal = "Scientific Reports",

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Eco-friendly synthesis of Balanites aegyptiaca-derived selenium nanoparticles: extract and assessment of their anticancer, antimicrobial, cytogenetic and molecular docking insights. / El-Zaidy, Mohamed I.M.; Ayoub, Heba G.; El-Akabawy, Gehan et al.
In: Scientific Reports, Vol. 16, No. 1, 4721, 12.2026.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Eco-friendly synthesis of Balanites aegyptiaca-derived selenium nanoparticles

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AU - El-Zaidy, Mohamed I.M.

AU - Ayoub, Heba G.

AU - El-Akabawy, Gehan

AU - Ibrahim, Amira A.

AU - Abdel-Haleem, Mohamed

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2026.

PY - 2026/12

Y1 - 2026/12

N2 - This study reports the eco-friendly synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using the methanolic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca mesocarp and evaluates their biological activities. The synthesized spherical SeNPs (average size: 2.82 nm) were characterized by TEM, FESEM, and UV–Vis spectroscopy, confirming that phenolic compounds serve as both reducing and stabilizing agents. HPLC analysis revealed eight major phenolics, with gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and daidzein being the predominant compounds. The SeNPs exhibited strong cytotoxicity against HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 30.03 µg/mL), potent antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis, and induced concentration-dependent cytogenetic effects in Vicia faba root tips. Molecular docking studies suggested that phenolic compounds effectively interact with the CDK4 active site, supporting their potential anticancer properties. These findings highlight B. aegyptiaca-derived SeNPs as promising candidates for biomedical applications.

AB - This study reports the eco-friendly synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using the methanolic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca mesocarp and evaluates their biological activities. The synthesized spherical SeNPs (average size: 2.82 nm) were characterized by TEM, FESEM, and UV–Vis spectroscopy, confirming that phenolic compounds serve as both reducing and stabilizing agents. HPLC analysis revealed eight major phenolics, with gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and daidzein being the predominant compounds. The SeNPs exhibited strong cytotoxicity against HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 30.03 µg/mL), potent antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis, and induced concentration-dependent cytogenetic effects in Vicia faba root tips. Molecular docking studies suggested that phenolic compounds effectively interact with the CDK4 active site, supporting their potential anticancer properties. These findings highlight B. aegyptiaca-derived SeNPs as promising candidates for biomedical applications.

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KW - Antimicrobial activity

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KW - Chromosomal aberrations

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Eco-friendly synthesis of Balanites aegyptiaca-derived selenium nanoparticles: extract and assessment of their anticancer, antimicrobial, cytogenetic and molecular docking insights

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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