Bioinspired synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Luffa aegyptiaca seed extract and assessment of pharmacological properties

Abstract

This work used a cost-effective and eco-friendly green process to formulate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Luffa aegyptiaca seed extract (AgNPs-LA). Extraction of L. aegyptiaca seed was done at three different time points [12 (S1), 24 (S2), and 48 (S3) hrs.] to see the effect of extraction on AgNPs-LA. The reaction process of AgNPs was accessed by UV–Vis spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential analyses were used to characterize greenly synthesized AgNPs using L. aegyptiaca seed extract. The pharmacological properties of AgNPs-LA were assessed by evaluating the in-vitro antioxidant (DPPH), antidiabetic (α-amylase inhibition), anti-inflammatory (protein denaturation assay), cytotoxicity, and antibacterial activity. The spherical and crystalline structure of AgNPs-LA was observed to have an average size of 168.08 nm for S1. All S1, S2, and S3 showed potent antioxidant activity. For antidiabetic activity, S2 showed the most significant α-amylase inhibitory properties. All AgNPs-LA exhibited the appropriate anti-inflammatory activity as compared to the standard. Only S3 nanoparticles have been shown to have potential cytotoxic effects against malignant human kidney cells. Compared to the standard, the antibacterial test confirmed a higher bactericidal activity of the resulting AgNPs-LA against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. An appropriate antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial activity have been demonstrated in the AgNPs derived from the L. aegyptiaca seed extract, which can be considered a promising candidate for various medical applications.