Green Synthesis of Red Fluorescent Graphene Quantum Dots Using Withania somnifera Leaves: Exploring Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Potential.

Abstract

In recent years, green synthesis methods for producing nanomaterials have gained significant interest due to their environmentally friendly nature and wide-ranging applications. The present study addresses a novel green synthesis of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using leaves of Withania somnifera. The size, morphology, and stability of the green-synthesized GQDs were characterized using TEM, UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectrophotometer, XRD, and DLS. The bio-functional properties of the GQDs were investigated, with a focus on their antidiabetic and antioxidant capabilities. Their antidiabetic activity was assessed by examining their ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, which play a crucial role in glucose metabolism. Additionally, their antioxidant properties were evaluated using DPPH● scavenging assays, highlighting their effectiveness in neutralizing free radicals. The findings revealed that the synthesized GQDs outperformed the original leaf extract in both antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition. The study revealed that the leaf extract exhibited higher IC₅₀ values for inhibiting DPPH (78.508 ± 5.71), α-amylase (161.909 ± 6.188), and α-glucosidase (133.345 ± 7.328) compared to synthesized GQDs, which showed lower IC₅₀ values of 72.74 ± 5.9, 137.966 ± 6.95, and 122.084 ± 5.478, respectively. The findings indicate that Withania somnifera derived GQDs hold significant potential for medical applications, warranting further investigation into their therapeutic efficacy. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental biological properties of GQDs, addressing the dual challenges of antidiabetic and antioxidant activity.