Gold Nanoparticles Fortified with Mixtures of Polyphenols from Pomegranate Husk and Coffee Pulp Displayed Antiproliferative and Cytotoxic Effects in Cancer Cells

Introduction: Gold nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts (green synthesis) are promising nanomaterials for cancer therapy due to their enhanced stability and bioactive properties. This study aimed to synthesize gold nanoparticles functionalized with polyphenols from pomegranate husk and coffee pulp and evaluate their antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects in human cancer (HeLa, A549) and non-transformed (HeK-293) cell lines. Methods: Gold nanoparticles were synthesized using ethanolic extracts of pomegranate husk and coffee pulp, individually and in a 1:1 mixture (PH-AuNPs, CP-AuNPs, Mx-AuNPs). Characterization was performed using FT-IR spectroscopy and size analysis. Antiproliferative effects were assessed via the MTT assay, and cytotoxicity was measured using the Lactate Dehydrogenase assay in cells treated with 10, 100, and 1000 μg/mL of each nanoparticle type. Results: The nanoparticles exhibited characteristic FT-IR bands associated with polyphenolic compounds and had an average particle size of 28 nm. PH-AuNPs, CP-AuNPs, and Mx-AuNPs demonstrated significant antiproliferative effects against HeLa and A549 cells in a concentration- dependent manner. No significant cytotoxicity was observed in Hek-293 cells, indicating selectivity toward cancerous cells. Discussion: The findings suggest that polyphenol-functionalized gold nanoparticles selectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation without harming non-transformed cells. This aligns with previous research on green-synthesized nanoparticles and highlights the potential of pomegranate and coffee byproducts in enhancing therapeutic specificity. Conclusion: Gold nanoparticles fortified with pomegranate husk and coffee pulp polyphenols exhibit promising antiproliferative effects in cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, supporting their potential as targeted anticancer agents. Further research should explore in vivo efficacy and mechanistic pathways.