Synthesis and Biological Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized by <i>Semenovia suffruticosa</i>

In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using methanol extract of Semenovia. suffruticosa. The prepared AgNPs (SS-AgNPs) were examined by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-raydiffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Afterward, biological activities including cytotoxicity, ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), antileishmanial and antibacterial effects were investigated. According to the UV-Vis spectroscopy, absorption peak at 430 nm indicates the synthesis of AgNPs. TEM and SEM image of AgNPs shows spherical shape with size range of 20–70 nm. FTIR analysis displayed the involvement of phytochemical constituents in synthesized nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the synthesis of highly pure AgNPs with high crystallinity and Cubic shape with crystalline size of 21.4 nm. SS-AgNPs were cytotoxic on cell lines with IC50 values of 15, 20, 20 and 26 µg/mL in HEK 293, Caco-2, SH-SY5Y and MDA-MD-231 cells, respectively. DCFH-DA assay showed that 24 h exposure to 25, 50, 100, 200 µg/mL concentrations of SS-AgNPs significantly increased production of ROS in cells that indicate oxidative stress induction by SS-AgNPs. Annexin V-PE/7-AAD staining analysis revealed a combination of apoptosis and necrosis following the exposure of Ag NPs to cells. SS-AgNPs displayed a notable bactericidal activity against Gram-negative bacterial strains. SS-AgNPs revealed remarkable antileishmanial activity against the promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania. major. IC50 values of SS-AgNPs were 16.17 and 6.35 using promastigote and amastigotes assay respectively. Conclusively, phytosynthesized AgNPs is effective in antileishmanial, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.