Journal Article Epublish 8 citations
PubMed: 40089549 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93864-y
Bioactive silver nanoparticles derived from Carica papaya floral extract and its dual-functioning biomedical application.
Sci Rep 15(1):9001
Authors: E S Harsha Haridas, M K Ravi Varma, Goutam Kumar Chandra
Affiliations
- Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode, Kerala, 673601, India.
- Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode, Kerala, 673601, India.
Abstract
Replacing synthetic phytochemicals with natural plant extracts for metal nanoparticle synthesis enable cost-effective, large-scale production with reduced environmental and health risks while enhancing biomedical efficacy. This study presents the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a flavonol-enriched extract from male papaya flowers (KQE), an underutilized agricultural waste. Using 20% (v/v) KQE, highly stable, spherical KQ-AgNPs (12.3 ± 3.0 nm) were synthesized via in-situ generation of free radicals, such as ortho-quinones, which reduced Ag ions. KQ-AgNPs exhibit superior antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria compared to chemically synthesized AgNPs (AgNPs-Chem) and KQE alone. In vitro anticancer assays reveal enhanced cytotoxicity against breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) with an IC of 21.25 ± 1.14 µg/mL, significantly lower than AgNPs-Chem (33.05 ± 3.13 µg/mL), while maintaining high biocompatibility with normal cells (HEK-293) with a greater IC of 169.96 ± 2.3 µg/mL. This study highlights the dual therapeutic potential of KQ-AgNPs, emphasizing their enhanced antibacterial and anticancer efficacy while exemplifying an innovative waste-to-wealth approach.
MeSH
Cells, Nanoparticles, Natural Science Disciplines, Bacteria