Exploring the medicinal potential of in vitro cultures for enhanced production of metabolite empowered by green silver nanoparticles in Alhagi maurorum medik

Alhagi maurorum, a valuable medicinal plant, presents an opportunity for sustainable biomass production and amplification of therapeutic compounds. This study explores the use of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in plant tissue culture to enhance secondary metabolite production. In vitro cultures were established using modified Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with growth regulators and adjuvants. AgNPs significantly promoted callus formation and differentiation. Notably, 8.0 mg/L AgNPs enhanced protein, phenolic, and flavonoid contents and antioxidant enzyme activities. HPLC profiling confirmed the presence of lupeol in AgNP-treated cultures. These findings indicate the potential of nanobiotechnology in boosting the medicinal value of in vitro plant cultures. • Objective: Investigating the medicinal potential of Alhagi maurorum using plant tissue culture techniques and biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). • Plant Tissue Culture: Establishment of cultures from shoot tip explants with cotyledons on MS medium supplemented with growth regulators (BAP, NAA, kinetin) and adjuvants, leading to successful callus formation, proliferation, and differentiation. • Biogenic AgNPs Synthesis: AgNPs synthesized using an aqueous extract of Alhagi maurorum , characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, zeta potential, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM analysis. • Characterization of AgNPs: Absorbance peak at 421 nm, zeta potential of -18.8 mV, FTIR peaks representing functional groups, XRD confirming face-centered cubic structure, SEM showing irregular shapes, and TEM displaying spherical morphology. • Effect of AgNPs on Calli: Incorporation of AgNPs (2.0-12.0 mg/L) significantly promoted embryogenic callus formation, proliferation, and differentiation, enhancing the accumulation of primary metabolites and antioxidants. • Primary Metabolites Quantification: Increased accumulation of total soluble protein, total free amino acids, total phenolic compounds, and total flavonoids in callus cultures treated with 8.0 mg/L AgNPs. • Non-Enzymatic Assays: Enhanced antioxidant activities, including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase in callus cultures treated with 8.0 mg/L AgNPs. • HPLC Profiling: Analysis of secondary metabolite lupeol using HPLC, highlighting potential therapeutic compounds in Alhagi maurorum . • Statistical Analysis: Employed one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Duncan’s Multiple Range Test for significance testing and comparison among experimental groups. • Conclusion: The study demonstrates the potential of AgNPs in enhancing secondary metabolite production in Alhagi maurorum through plant tissue culture techniques, suggesting novel applications in biotechnology and pharmacology.