Ameliorated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties by Plectranthus vettiveroides root extract-mediated green synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles

Abstract In this investigation, using the biogenic approach, Plectranthus vettiveroides root extract was used to synthesize chitosan nanoparticles ( P. vettiveroides CNPs). The produced nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized using UV-visible (UV/vis) absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The typical absorption peaks in the UV/vis spectra were located around 253 nm. Functional groups were identified in P. vettiveroides CNPs by FTIR. As per SEM analysis, the NPs generated exhibited a spherical shape with an average diameter of 78.01 nm. In addition, the synthesized P. vettiveroides CNPs were examined for antioxidant and antibacterial properties and anticancer activities. They show a strong antioxidant activity compared to butylated hydroxytoluene as a standard antioxidant. P. vettiveroides root extract CNPs demonstrated the most significant zone of inhibition against Klebsiella pneumoniae (22 mm), followed by Escherichia coli (21 mm), Bacillus cereus (19 mm), and Staphylococcus aureus (17 mm). In addition, using MTT assay, anticancer efficacy against KB (oral cancer) cells was studied. The cytotoxic reaction was observed in a dosage-dependent manner. P. vettiveroides CNPs show bioefficacy because of their size and the existence of bioactive compounds, which can enhance antibacterial and anticancer activities by lysing bacterial and cancer cell walls.