Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Argyreia pilosa leaf extract: Characterization and bioactivity assessment

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained significant attention due to their remarkable biological properties. Green synthesis using plant extracts offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical methods. Argyreia pilosa , an endemic climber of the Western Ghats, has not been previously explored for the silver nanoparticle synthesis. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize AgNPs using Argyreia pilosa leaf extract and evaluate their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and cytotoxic properties. AgNPs were synthesized using an aqueous leaf extract and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy for confirming nanoparticle formation by observing spectrum, XRD was used to identify crystallinity and crystalline size of Ap-AgNPs, FTIR was utilized for identification of functional groups involved in reduction and stabilization AgNO3 and formation of Ap-AgNPs, SEM utilized for morphological identification of AgNPs, DLS was owed for the determination of hydrodynamic size distribution of AgNPs, and Zeta potential to determine the charge of particles and colloidal stability. Antioxidant activity was assessed via the DPPH assay, FRAP assay, anti-inflammatory potential through Membrane stabilization assay, antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion, and cytotoxicity using HepG-2 cell lines. The synthesized AgNPs were spherical, with an average size of 16 nm and a zeta potential of −23.1 mV, indicating good stability. They exhibited strong antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 38.19 and 47.40 µg/ml for DPPH and FRAP respectively, significant anti-inflammatory effects shows the 68.47 % inhibition, and potent antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus . Cytotoxicity assays revealed low toxicity towards HepG-2 cells. This study demonstrates the successful green synthesis of AgNPs using Argyreia pilosa for the first time. The nanoparticles exhibit excellent bioactivity, suggesting potential applications in nanomedicine and environmental sustainability.