Korean red ginseng (<i>panax ginseng</i>) root extract for the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles: assessment of cell viability and catalytic activity

Mass spectrometry-based profiling of Korean red ginseng (<i>Panax ginseng</i>) root extracts by high-resolution LC-ESI-TOF-MS was conducted to identify the constituting compounds including ginsenosides, terpenoids and sugars. The constituting compounds were identified by accurate mass measurement and MS/MS patterns. Both extracts were successfully applied for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Mostly spherical-shaped AuNPs were identified and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed their face-centred cubic crystallinity. The average size was in the range of 10.5 ± 2.4 nm ∼ 13.9 ± 5.1 nm. The AuNPs retained colloidal stability at 4 °C in the dark for 7 days. Cell viability was assessed with human breast adenocarcinoma and human epithelial cervix adenocarcinoma cells. At Au concentrations up to 200 ∼ 240 μM, no significant cytotoxicity was observed, suggesting the potential applications of the AuNPs as drug delivery carriers. 4-Nitrophenol, methyl orange and methylene blue degradation reactions were carried out to study the catalytic activity of the AuNPs. The rate constants varied in a range of 2.14 × 10⁻³/sec ∼ 16.81 × 10⁻³/sec. The catalytic activity of the AuNPs was the most effective in the methyl orange degradation reaction. The convergence strategy combining nanotechnology and natural products can increase the applicability of Korean red ginseng with prospective applications in nanomedicine and catalysis.