Physicochemical Characterization and Anticancer Potential of Ficus deltoidea-Silver Nanoparticles (FD-AgNPs) on HeLa Cells: Evidence from Apoptosis and Proliferation Assays

Abstract Cervical cancer remains a major health problem worldwide, with over 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths reported in 2022. Ficus deltoidea, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive phytochemicals, was utilized in this study to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (FD-AgNPs) as an anticancer agent. These nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, showing absorbance at 420–460 nm, while FTIR analysis confirmed the role of plant compounds in reduction and capping. XRD results indicated high crystallinity with a face-centered cubic structure, and TEM images revealed an average crystallite size of 21.01 nm. FD-AgNPs significantly reduced HeLa cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001), with greater cytotoxicity observed at 5 and 10 µg/mL compared to cisplatin. Morphological changes highlighting effective induction of apoptosis through intrinsic pathways. The antiproliferative effects of FD-AgNPs evaluated through pAKT and Ki-67 markers, showed significant reduction at 5 and 10 µg/mL (p < 0.001) compared to cisplatin. Apoptosis showing significant increases in cleaved caspase-3 levels at 5 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL (p < 0.0001) compared to negative control. In conclusion, FD-AgNPs demonstrated significant anticancer activity by inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting their potential as a promising therapeutic candidate for cervical cancer.