Eco-friendly preparation, characterization, and evaluation of pharmacological properties of silver nanoparticles using Neptunia prostrata Linn．

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The rise in the use of eco-friendly bioresources for developing nanoparticles has been noted compared with the use of harmful chemical methods. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from the whole plant extract of Neptunia prostrata Linn. (AgNPs-NP) were investigated in this study, with an evaluation of their pharmacological properties. The green-synthesized AgNPs-NP characterization was performed using UV–Visible spectrometry, FT-IR spectroscopy, DLS, EDX, and SEM. Evaluation of antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and cytotoxicity properties was also done. The change in color, UV–Vis spectra, and FT-IR functional groups confirmed the successful preparation of AgNPs-NP. The average particle size of AgNPs-NP was 174 nm, with a suitable zeta potential confirmed by DLS. The presence of silver was confirmed by EDX analysis. The spherical size and uniformity of AgNPs-NP were confirmed by SEM. The AgNPs-NP exhibited an IC 50 of 39.28 μg/mL for DPPH radical scavenging, significant antioxidant activity, and antidiabetic properties (IC50 380.24 μg/mL), as compared to the standard acarbose (IC50 305.72 μg/mL). Remarkable antibacterial activity of AgNPs-NP was shown against both Escherichia coli (a gram-negative bacterium) and Staphylococcus aureus (a gram-positive bacterium). Potent cytotoxicity properties were also established for AgNPs-NP, with an IC 50 of 154.19 μg/mL. This study highlights the significance of eco-friendly preparation of plant-derived metal nanoparticles as a potential therapeutic agent for sustainable use.