Green synthesis of Silver nanoparticles from Pedicularis punctata and their biomedical applications

Abstract

The massive collapse of ecosystem as a result of urbanization and industrialization is unrestrained. The implications of switching from chemically synthesized materials to utilization of green chemistry are compelling. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have impending applications in food, agriculture, oil and gas, aerospace, healthcare and many other industries. The use of these materials gained importance when it was analyzed that a substance's physiochemical qualities may be influenced by its size. It was then scientists grasped the importance of these materials. Nanoparticles have shown improved characteristics, such as their size, dimension, dispersion, distribution, and shape of particles. AgNPs were synthesized from Pedicularis punctata commonly known as Kashmir Lousewort. Various characterization techniques including Ultra visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) were used.UV –Vis spectroscopy showed highest peak t 430nm, which confirmed formation of AgNPs. XRD pattern confirmed crystalline structure of NPs with average size of 28.566nm.FTIR showed capping of AgNPs with phytochemicals present in P.punctata, which which act as reducing and capping agent. SEM revealed irregular shape in morphology with particle size approximately 30nm-60nm.HPLC fingerprinting was done for both P.punctata extract and silver nanoparticles which revealed the presence of phenyl glycosides mostly known for their anticancer activities. Furthermore, hemolysis activity confirmed, AgNPs were slightly haemolytic with 4.55±0.44% hemolysis which is considered as safe. The brine shrimp lethality assay of AgNPs showed LC50 value of 74±7.38ug/ml which shows they are moderately toxic. Anticancer activity was tested using ROS/RNS, Caspase 3 gene expression, mitochondrial membrane potential and MTT assay. All the activities confirmed silver nanoparticles have high anticancer activities. This could be used for cancer therapy and drug delivery agents. Further studies can help us understand the therapeutic effect of silver nanoparticles on animal models.