Solution-gelation synthesis of silver nanoparticles utilizing Justicia tranquebariensis extract for antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal and anticancer activity

The distinctive biological properties exhibited by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have propelled this material to the forefront of biological property candidates. Solution-gelation synthesis emerges as a highly promising method among preparation techniques to compensate for the shortcomings inherent in both chemical and physical approaches. The objective of this investigation was to synthesize JT-AgNPs utilizing Justicia tranquebariensis (JT) extract as a stabilizing and reducing agent and AgNO₃ solution as the Ag precursor. The obtained JT-AgNPs underwent physicochemical characterization employing various analytical techniques. In XRD analysis revealed the crystal structure of the JT-AgNPs. The JT-AgNPs with a spherical shape were identified through TEM, and exhibit a size in 22.3 nm. The zeta potential value of −21.6 mV indicates excellent stability for green synthesized JT-Ag NPs. The antibacterial activity of synthesized JT-AgNPs was assessed. When compared to the plant extract, JT-AgNPs exhibit effective inhibition of fungal strains, at a dosage of 10 µL/mL. The antioxidant properties of JT-AgNPs showed a proton radical scavenging efficiency of 77.64% at 100 µg/mL (IC₅₀ value of 44.41 µg/mL). At a concentration of 15 µg/mL, the synthesized JT-AgNPs demonstrated remarkable efficacy against MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, (IC₅₀ value of 11.02 µg/mL). These results suggest a promising future herbal medication in nanomaterials form.

Graphical Abstract