Novel royal jelly-mediated green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles and their multifunctional biological activities
Samy Selim, Yousef Alhaj Hamoud, Salwa M. El-Sayed, Mohanned Talal Alharbi, Mohammed H. Alruhaili, Hattan S. Gattan, Mutasem S. Almehayawi, Soad K. Al Jaouni, Salem S. Salem, Samah H. Abu-Hussien
Abstract
Abstract This study investigates the green synthesis, characterization, and therapeutic potential of royal jelly-selenium nanoparticles (RJ-SeNPs) synthesized using royal jelly (RJ) in comparison to raw RJ. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed major compounds such as quinic acid (0.2396 mg) and rutin (6.1013 mg), while gas chromatography–mass spectrometry identified bioactive molecules, including n -hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, limonene, and 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA). RJ extract served as a reducing and stabilizing agent for nanoparticle (NP) synthesis. Characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray confirmed NP formation. RJ-SeNPs exhibited a broad absorption band (250–500 nm) with a shoulder at 450 nm, and TEM revealed spherical particles of size 28–94.6 nm, whereas DLS indicated a hydrodynamic diameter of 223.8 nm, reflecting surface interactions. A strong colloidal stability was observed with a zeta potential of –57 mV. Molecular docking showed that 10-HDA had the highest binding affinity to the human free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1) (Δ G = –6.8 kcal/mol) and moderate binding to bacterial proteins from Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Biologically, RJ-SeNPs demonstrated superior antimicrobial efficacy, particularly against S. aureus and Aspergillus niger , with larger inhibition zones and lower minimum inhibitory/bactericidal concentrations compared to RJ. Furthermore, RJ-SeNPs exhibited potent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC 50 : 7.23 μg/mL), comparable to doxorubicin. Collectively, these results highlight RJ-SeNPs as a promising multifunctional therapeutic candidate with enhanced antimicrobial and anticancer properties, warranting further in vivo and clinical investigation.