Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Euphorbia wallichii Extract and Assessment of their Bio-functionalities

Abstract

Background: Silver nanoparticles synthesized by the bio-green method have been applied to various biomedical applications. These procedures are simple, eco-friendly and serve as an alternative to complex chemical methods for the preparation of nanomaterials. Objective: In the present study, phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, to examine their antioxidant potential, toxic effects towards bacterial-, fimgal-strains, brine shrimp nauplii and cancer cells was focused. Methods: Methanolic extract of Euphorbia wallichii roots was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesis was monitored and confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectrometric analysis, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD). Results: The synthesized particles were average 63 +/- 8 nm in size. Involvement of phenolic (46.7+2.4 mu g GAE/mg) and flavonoid (11.7+1.2 mu g QE/mg) compounds as capping agents was also measured. Nanoparticles showed antioxidant properties in terms of free radical scavenging potential (59.63+1.0 %), reducing power (44.52 +/- 1.34 mu g AAE/mg) and total antioxidant capacity (60.48 +/- 2.2 mu g AAE/mg). The nanoparticles showed potent cytotoxic effects against brine shrimp nauplii (LD50 66.83 mu g/ml), proliferation and cell death of HeLa cells as determined by MIT (LD50 0.3923 mu g/ml) and TUNEL assays, respectively. Antimicrobial results revealed that silver nanoparticles were found to be more potent against pathogenic fungal (maximum active against A. fumigatus, MIC 15 mu g/disc) and bacterial strains (maximum active against S. aureus, MIC 3.33 mu g/disc) than the E. wallichii extract alone. Conclusion: These results support the advantages of using an eco-friendly and cost-effective method for synthesis of nanoparticles with antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial potential.