Phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Pterocarpus marsupium L. leaf extract and their antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities

Phytosynthesis is gaining popularity, as it is inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Pterocarpus marsupium L., a widely recognized antidiabetic plant in ethnobotany, was employed in this study to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Pm-AgNPs). The phytosynthesized AgNPs were characterized by means of energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), hydrodynamic diameter, zeta sizer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The synthesis of Pm-AgNPs was confirmed due to a change in the color of the sample to dark brown and adsorption maxima (ƛ max) to 435. Also, the results of the FESEM analysis showed that the produced nanoparticles possess a uniform, spherical morphology, and size within 15–40 nm. The Pm-AgNPs showed significant antioxidant properties with IC50 values of 49.70 µg/mL, with significance p ≤ 0.05. AgNPs effectively inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes ɑ-amylase and ɑ-glucosidase with IC50 values of 55.64 and 39.13 mg mL-1, respectively with significance p ≤ 0.05, indicating their antidiabetic properties. AgNPs exhibit multiple mechanisms of action when combined with organic chemicals or antibiotics, demonstrating effectiveness against pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Pm–AgNPs showed MIC value of 50–100 µg/mL against K.pneumoniae and S. aureus, while 12.5–100 µg/mL against E.coli. 100 µg/mL of P. marsupium is effective against E.coli. The results indicate that AgNPs have potential antibacterial, antidiabetic efficacy against major diabetes enzymes, making them suitable for nanobiomedical applications. This study provides a transformative approach to synthesizing AgNPs using Pterocarpus marsupium L., setting a new benchmark in the field of nanobiotechnology.