Green method synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Ficus religiosa plant leaves extract and their evaluation for anti-cancer activity in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 cells

Due to low surface area and minimum possible state of energy, spherical nanoparticles are preferable over nanoparticles of other shapes. Use of nanoparticles in cancer therapy is an emerging field with wide varieties of applications. But, to retain within the cell for optimum anticancer activity, synthesized nanoparticles are required to be in proper shape and size. Plant phytochemicals reduce and cap metal ions to produce nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesised using Ficus religiosa plant leaves aqueous extract. Synthesised material was characterised using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X Ray analysis (EDAX), Transmission Electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. FTIR analysis showed presence of varied phytochemicals. SEM analysis of the sample elucidated morphological characteristics of the material while elemental analysis through EDAX technique reported silver metal ions in synthesised sample. TEM analysis confirmed nanoparticles size ranging from 21-27 nm. Result of the study showed decreased cell viability of A549 cells when treated with the green method to synthesise silver nanoparticles.