Green Synthesis
of Silver Nanoparticles from Phytochemicals of Medicinal Plants and their Cytotoxicity
against Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Narmadha B., Job Gopinath M. and Varshini Premakumari J.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(8); 43-53;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/208rjbt043053; (2025)
Abstract
In the past few decades, green synthesized nanoparticles are being extensively studied
for their biological potential and in treatment of variety of diseases. The current
study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)
green synthesized with medicinal plants Cissus quadrangularis, Catharanthus roseus,
Acalypha indica and Coleus aromaticus on immortalised Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial
Cells (HUVEC) cell line. The aqueous extracts of the medicinal plants were used
as reducing agents during the synthesis of AgNPs. The qualitative phytochemical
analysis of the aqueous extracts denoted the presence of several bioactive compounds,
including saponins, tannins, phenols, flavonoids and steroids in all four species.
Phytochemicals such as flavonoid are the major constituents. Flavonoids are phytochemicals
known for their anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cell-signalling
regulatory properties.
It is found that flavonoid content in C. quadrangularis AgNPs was greater than other
three plants at a value of 968.31mg/g (QCE). The synthesised nanoparticles were
then characterised by Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD),
UV–vis spectrophotometer, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy EDAX and Fourier-transformed
infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The synthesised nanoparticles were then cultured
with the HUVEC cell line to assess their cytotoxic potential. The AgNPs produced
considered cytotoxicity in the HUVEC cell line, however it was found that AgNPs
synthesised with aqueous extract of Cissus quadrangularis produced the greatest
cytotoxicity, with an IC50 value of 28.689 μg/ml. The findings of the study suggest
the anti-cancer potential of AgNPs green synthesized with Cissus quadrangularis.
