PulseExploreJournal ClubDebatesTrendingResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeExploreJournal ClubTrending
Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
February 19, 2026Scientific Reports2 citationsOpen Access

A novel approach to silver nanoparticle biosynthesis using ursolic acid from Catharanthus roseus for therapeutic effects

KRKrishnan RaguvaranPKParthasarathy Arunachalam Chettiyar KamatchiMHMurni Handayani

Key Points

  • The research aims to explore the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using ursolic acid and to evaluate their therapeutic properties.
  • Isolated ursolic acid from Catharanthus roseus for nanoparticle synthesis.
  • Characterized nanoparticles using UV-Vis, XRD, FT-IR, EDX, TEM, zeta potential, and DLS.
  • Conducted antibacterial and anticancer activity tests against various bacterial strains and HeLa cells.
  • Assessed antioxidant activity using DPPH and FRAP assays.
  • Performed molecular docking studies with cancer and virulence proteins.
  • UA-AgNPs showed stronger antibacterial activity compared to ursolic acid and silver nitrate.
  • Inhibition zones of 18.00 mm against B. cereus and 16 ± 0.3 mm against P. aeruginosa were observed.
  • Antioxidant activities were significant, and in vivo tests in yeast confirmed positive effects.
  • Anticancer effects included an IC<sub>50</sub> of 29.20 µg/mL against HeLa cells with low toxicity on Vero cells.
  • Molecular docking indicated interactions with important cancer and bacterial proteins.

Abstract

The present study attentive on the bio synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using ursolic acid (UA-AgNPs) isolated from Catharanthus roseus and investigated their antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. The biosynthesized UA-AgNPs were characterized using techniques like UV-Vis, XRD, FT-IR, EDX, TEM, zeta potential, and DLS. The UA-AgNPs exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than ursolic acid and AgNO3, producing inhibition zones of 18.00 mm and 16 ± 0.3 mm against B. cereus and P. aeruginosa, respectively, which were comparable to the activity of standard antibiotics and MIC (Minimum inhibitory concentration) values of 6.95 and 12.39 µg/mL, respectively. The anti-biofilm activity inhibited 64.43% and 60.89% of biofilm production. UA-AgNPs also impaired bacterial motility and caused higher protein and (Deoxyribonucleic acid) DNA leakage in membrane integrity assays compared to the control. Antioxidant activity was confirmed by DPPH and FRAP assays, and in vivo experiments in Saccharomyces cerevisiae highlighted significant antioxidant effects. Furthermore, UA-AgNPs exhibited potential anticancer activity against the HeLa cell line (IC50 29.20 µg/mL) with minimal cytotoxicity on Vero cells (IC50 5.59 µg/mL). Moreover, UA-AgNPs reduced LPS-induced Nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells. Through molecular docking studies, they demonstrated interactions with breast cancer proteins BRCA1 and C-erbB2 and bacterial virulence proteins Hbl and aglD. These findings highlight the bio efficacy of UA-AgNPs as a dual-action therapeutic agent with potent antibacterial and anticancer activity, combined with low toxicity toward normal cells, making them promising candidates for biomedical applications.

Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Raguvaran et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6996a80aecb39a600b3ee611https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-33908-5
Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper