Abstract
Background and Objectives: The current study focuses on an eco-friendly and cost-effective method of Ephedra procera C. A. Mey. mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles as potential cytotoxic, antimicrobial and anti-oxidant agents. Materials and Methods: Plant aqueous extracts were screened for Total Phenolic (TPC), Total Flavonoid contents (TFC), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging potentials. Total reducing power estimated by potassium ferricyanide colorimetric assay. The biosynthesized E. procera nanoparticles (EpNPs) were characterized by UV-spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction and Scanning electron microscopy. EpNPs were evaluated for their antimicrobial, bio-compatibility and cytotoxic potentials. Results: Initial phytocheimcal analysis of plant aqueous extract revealed TFC of 20.7 ± 0.21 µg/mg extract and TPC of 117.01 ± 0.78 µg/mg extract. TAC, DPPH free radical scavenging and reducing power were 73.8 ± 0.32 µg/mg extract, 71.8 ± 0.73% and 105.4 ± 0.65 µg/mg extract respectively. The synthesized EpNPs were observed to possess high cytotoxicity against HepG2 cancer cell lines with IC50 (61.3 µg/mL) as compared aqueous extract with IC50 of (247 µg/mL). EpNPs were found to be biocompatible and have less effect on human erythrocytes. EpNPs exhibited significant antioxidant potentials and exhibited considerable activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MICs) of 11.12 μg/mL and 11.33 μg/mL respectively. Fungal species Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus were found susceptible to EpNPs. Conclusions: Results of the current study revealed that EpNPs exhibited considerable antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic potentials. Aqueous extract possesses significant anti-radical properties and thus can be useful in free radicals induced degenerative disorders.
Highlights
Nature sanctified the anthropoid with variety of medications to cure numerous maladies [1,2].Most of the human populace is still consuming plant-based prescriptions [3,4,5]
Results of the current study revealed that E. procera nanoparticles (EpNPs) exhibited considerable antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic potentials
Approaches of nanoparticle production through various physical and chemical ways have their own shortcomings as they produce massive environmental pollutions and lethal side effects
Summary
Nature sanctified the anthropoid with variety of medications to cure numerous maladies [1,2].Most of the human populace is still consuming plant-based prescriptions [3,4,5]. A recent application of medicinal plants involves green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant extracts as reducing agents [12,13,14]. The synthesis of nanoparticles with the help of plant extracts offers an inclusive array of advantages over other biological synthesis as a plant extract does not require the maintenance of bacterial, fungal and algal cultures [15,16]. Sastry and his coworkers are pioneers in synthesis of nanoparticle by using plant extracts [17,18] This eco-friendly method is more biocompatible that have capability at larger synthesis [19]. Synthesis of nanoparticles by using plant extracts as reducing, capping and oxidizing agents has received distinct consideration among others [21]. A. Mey. mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles as potential cytotoxic, antimicrobial and anti-oxidant agents. Results: Initial phytocheimcal analysis of plant aqueous extract revealed TFC of 20.7 ± 0.21 μg/mg extract and TPC of 117.01 ± 0.78 μg/mg extract
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