Green biogenic fabrication of AgNPs derived from Pulicaria jaubertii leaf extract: Investigation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties

• We have followed green synthesis method for silver nanoparticles formation using Pulicaria jaubertii leaf extract. • The as-fabricated silver nanoparticles were within a size range of 20-50 nm. • These nanoparticles were effective against both gram positive (S. aureus) and gram negative (E. coli). • These nanoparticles were potent in the inhibition of biofilms formed by bacteria. • The as-synthesized silver nanoparticles showed least cytotoxicity as deciphered from MTT assay and RBC lysis assay. "Plant-mediated synthesis of nanomaterials offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative for biomedical applications. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were green-synthesized using a leaf extract of Pulicaria jaubertii , which served as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The biophysical characterization of synthesized AgNPs confirmed their successful fabrication through Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscope- Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis. The synthesized AgNPs demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against gram-negative ( Escherichia coli ) and gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus ) pathogens, as evidenced by agar well diffusion, time-kill, and antibiofilm assays. Notably, the nanoparticles exhibited minimal cytotoxicity toward Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Human Red Blood Cells, underscoring their biocompatibility. These findings highlight the potential of Pulicaria jaubertii -derived AgNPs as promising candidates for antimicrobial therapies and biomedical applications."