Synthesis, Characterisation and DFT Studies of Stigmasterol Mediated Silver Nanoparticles and Their Anticancer Activity

Abstract

The present investigation reports the facile, reproducible and eco-friendly biological synthesis of nano silver using Ficus Hispida leaf extract (FHLE) as a reductant. The properties of the synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP’s) is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. The synthesized Ag-NPs are found to have spherical shape with average particle size in the range of 50–100 nm. The XRD studies and selected area electron diffraction pattern of TEM images confirm the face cantered cubic structure of biosynthesised silver nanoparticles. The DFT studies reveal that the stigmasterol present in FHLE is responsible for leaf extract to behave as a reducing agent for reduction of Ag+ ions into Ag0. The antitumor studies against DLA cell lines of the biosynthesized Ag-NPs is found to have 100% inhibition with concentration of 200 µg/ml of Ag-NP’s.