Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using flavonoids: hesperidin, naringin and diosmin, and their antibacterial effects and cytotoxicity

Three different flavonoids -hesperidin, naringin and diosmin (constituents of citrus plants) were used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Aqueous solutions of pure flavonoids (0.2 mg mL −1 ) mixed with 1 mM AgNO 3 solution were exposed to bright sunlight to prepare the nanoparticles. Characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles by UV–Visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles were 10–80 nm in size and polydispersed in nature. Bactericidal effect against common pathogens and cytotoxicity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was investigated on human promyelocytic leukemic (HL-60) cells. It is concluded that AgNPs synthesized using Naringin as reducing agent showed higher stability and better antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.