Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Alysicarpus monilifer leaf extract and its antibacterial activity against MRSA and CoNS isolates in HIV patients

The emergence of multi-drug-resistant microorganisms in hospital environments is a global public health problem and threat to everyone, especially HIV-infected patients. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) are the major causative agents associated with morbidity and mortality in HIV patients. Therefore, control of MRSA and CoNS-related infections in HIV patients is a worldwide concern. To investigate novel, potent, and cost-effective therapeutic approaches, the current study reports a simple and rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Alysicarpus monilifer and its antibacterial efficacy against multi-drug-resistant MRSA and CoNS isolates from HIV patients. The green-synthesized AgNPs were characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, selected area electron diffraction pattern, X-ray diffraction patterns, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Stable, well-defined AgNPs, mostly spherical in shape with mean size of 15 ± 2 nm, were obtained within an hour. Moreover, green synthesized AgNPs revealed significant dose-dependent antibacterial action against MRSA and CoNS isolates. This study concludes that biogenic AgNPs have demonstrated to be potent antibacterial agents in comparison with conventional antibiotics.