Biosynthesis of AgNPs in Plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) (P-AgNPs) Using the Endophytic Fungus Fusarium solani Isolated from an Endangered Medicinal Plant Plumbago rosea and Their Anti Bacterial and Anticancer Activity on Human Breast Cancer Cells (MCF-7)

Abstract

Abstract—Among the most hopeful biomaterials, metallic nanoparticles with antibacterial and anticancer properties are expected to open new avenues to fight and prevent various cancer and infectious diseases. The aim of the current study was the biosynthesis of plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone-AgNPs (P-AgNPs) using the endophytic fungus Fusarium solani isolated from an endangered medicinal plant Plumbago rosea. The fungus was identified according to its morphological characteristics and nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS sequence analysis. The synthesized P-AgNPs were initially noticed through visual color change from yellow to reddish brown and further confirmed by surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) band at 450 nm using UV-visible spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis showed amines and amides that are responsible for the stabilization of P-AgNPs. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) showed that P-AgNPs were well dispersed, spherical, and well within the range of 23.2, 33.2 and 33.7 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study revealed crystalline nature of P-AgNPs. These P-AgNPs displayed good antibacterial activity in dose dependant manner. The synthesized P-AgNPs exhibited dose-depended cytotoxicity against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, the inhibitory IC50 were found to be 14.5 μg/mL. These nanoparticles were further studied for their anticancer activity and showed high selective toxicity against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The anticancer activity also executed through inhibiting the cells at the phase DNA synthesis.