Integrating Traditional Knowledge and Nanotechnology: Green Synthesis of Hibiscus lobatus Silver Nanoparticles

Medicinal plants have long been integral to traditional medicine, addressing varioushealth conditions. Although species such as Hibiscus sabdariffa and Hibiscus rosasinensis havebeen extensively researched, Hibiscus lobatus (H. lobatus) remains comparatively underexploredHigh Technology Letters despite its therapeutic potential. This study investigates the antimicrobial, antidiabetic, andantioxidant properties of H. lobatus by synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using its leafextract. Preliminary phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds likephenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, which were linked to the observed bioactivities.Characterization of the AgNPs using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, XRD, and FTIR revealed acrystalline structure and functional groups such as alcohols, conjugated alkenes, fluorocompounds, and amines involved in the reduction of silver nitrate. Both crude extracts and AgNPsdemonstrated effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Candida,Bacillus, and E. coli, with AgNPs showing higher efficacy. The minimum inhibitoryconcentrations ranged from 5 to 25 mg/mL. In vitro α-amylase inhibition assays revealed up to70% antidiabetic activity in both forms, while the ABTS radical scavenging assay showed AgNPsexhibited superior antioxidant potential compared to crude extracts. These findings suggest thatH. lobatus possesses significant medicinal properties in both its crude and nano forms, with AgNPsshowing enhanced bioactivities. Further research could explore its potential applications inmedicine.