Synthesis, Characterization, Comparative Antidandruff Efficacy and Cytotoxicity Studies of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles by Using Glycyrrhiza glabra Root

Abstract

In the present study silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract and evaluated their antimicrobial potential against dandruff causing pathogens. Dandruff is an inflammatory of scalp expression that impacts approximately half of the world's population. The development of new class of antidandruff agents based on sustainable means is essential. Characterization of AgNPs were done by UV-Visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Bradford assay was performed for protein leakage analysis. Cytotoxicity was checked by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-yl)-2,5-diphynyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cell lines. The zone of inhibition for Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts and AgNPs was measured from 9–42 mm while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was in the range of 25–380 μg/ml. AgNPs showed lowest MIC against P. acne at concentration of 25 μg/ml. Protein leakage analysis revealed that AgNPs may disturb the solidity of pathogens membrane. Cytotoxicity evaluation on cell lines showed that both Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract and AgNPs are nontoxic on HEK-293 cell lines. Therefore, it can be concluded from the studies that utilization of Glycyrrhiza glabra based synthesis of AgNPs could be explored to manage dandruff.