Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa (L.) seeds promotes wound healing via PDGF and VEGF signalling pathways activation

Abstract

In this study biosynthesis approach was employed to synthesis silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed extract (NSSE) as reducing and stabilizing agent for AgNPs. Different characterization studies confirmed successful synthesis, providing insights into their physical and chemical properties. UV–Visible spectroscopy revealed a distinct absorbance peak at 452 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy detected the existence of various functional groups which contributed to the stabilization of the nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction indicated the crystallographic planes of the face-centered cubic (fcc) structure of AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated a variety of polymorphic shapes in the AgNPs. Dynamic light scattering analysis determined the average size of the AgNPs to be 44.74 nm. In vitro cell culture studies demonstrated enhanced proliferation and migration of immortalized human keratinocytes cells treated with AgNPs-NSSE compared to controls. Following a 24 h of treatment, there was no apparent toxicity of AgNPs on HaCat cells. However, cell viability reached as high as 64.3 ± 0.2% at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. At a concentration of 50 μg/mL, AgNPs confirmed the capability to upregulate the expression levels of platelet-derived growth factor (50 ± 0.3%) and vascular endothelial growth factor (10 ± 0.1%) proteins in HaCat cells. These findings highlight AgNPs-NSSE as a natural and effective wound healing agent, potentially mediated through PDGF and VEGF signalling pathways.