Ecologically facilitative green approach for synthesizing gold nanoparticles: a screening study of bioactivities

Abstract

Aim: Plants possess tremendous medicinal properties which have been supposed to be promising candidates for biomedical applications, especially in the field of nanobiotechnology. To analyze one such view, the current study was adopted to synthesize gold nanoparticles (Au*nps) by employing the extract of Murraya koenigii (EMk) for the evaluation of phenolics, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hemolytic, and biocompatible activities. Methods: The synthesis process was carried out in a single step by mixing EMk and gold salt (Au salt) solution and monitored using UV/Visible spectroscopy. The process was optimized via variation in environmental variables. Characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) were employed. In vitro biological activities (total phenolic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hemolytic) using different concentrations of Au*nps along with EMk were assessed. An in vivo histopathology study on Wistar rats was analyzed. Results: The band of Au*nps was observed at 540 nm, which showed successful synthesis. The FTIR spectra of Au*nps indicated the role of different functional groups (alkane, aromatic ester, thiol, nitro, and aldehyde) of EMk during synthesis. The TEM analysis illustrated a 50 nm size of Au*nps; SEM showed the presence of some aggregates; EDX represented elemental nature, and XRD proved the crystalline nature of these Au*nps. The Au*nps possessed significant phenolic content and displayed prominent antioxidant activities by quenching free radicals. Similarly, momentous inhibitory action was observed against microbial strains of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. The hemolytic study showed the least to non-toxic effect of these nanoparticles on red blood cells (RBCs) even at enhanced concentration. Histopathology study showed fair compatibility without inducing any apparent pathological lesions on the liver tissues of Wistar rats. Conclusions: Plausibly, all the above investigations strongly emphasized the use of medicinal plant-based Au*nps for biological applications.

Keywords

Aggregate / inhibition / microbial / nanoparticles / synthesis / antioxidant / biomedical

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