Green Synthesis and Biological Applications of Silver Nanoparticles Using Phyllanthus maderaspatensis L. Root Extract

Abstract

Biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles is a raising research area because of their vital role in nanomedicines. In the present work, we have synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus maderaspatensis L. root. AgNPs are characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), XRD – X-ray powder diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The synthesized AgNPs were also evaluated for its antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity activities. The result indicates that the phytoconstituents present in the P. maderaspatensis root extract were mostly accountable for the reduction of Ag+ ions. UV spectrum was observed at 479 nm to the formation of AgNPs. Bioactive compounds were identified by FT-IR. The presence of elements was characterized by EDS. The morphology and size of the AgNPs were determined by SEM, HR-TEM, and X-ray diffraction analysis which showed the average particle size ranging from 3–14 nm. It was more effective against micro-organisms and also, AgNPs might serve as a potent antioxidant as revealed by DPPH and superoxide assays. Furthermore, these AgNPs also showed a potent cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Herein, we suggested the green synthesis of AgNPs with potent antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities with feasible biomedical and industrial applications.