Non-hazardous anticancerous and antibacterial colloidal 'green' silver nanoparticles
Shaswat Barua1, Rocktotpal Konwarh, Satya Sundar Bhattacharya
1Advanced Polymer and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Assam, India.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|January 29, 2013
Summary
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Thuja occidentalis extract yields nanoparticles with anticancer and antibacterial properties. These eco-friendly nanoparticles showed no toxicity to earthworms, indicating promising environmental compatibility.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Green Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anticancer activities.
- Traditional synthesis methods often involve toxic chemicals and harsh conditions.
- Developing eco-friendly synthesis routes for AgNPs is crucial for sustainable applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize poly(ethylene glycol) stabilized colloidal silver nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Thuja occidentalis leaves.
- To characterize the synthesized AgNPs and evaluate their cytocompatibility, anticancer, antibacterial, and environmental impact.
Main Methods:
- Green synthesis of AgNPs using Thuja occidentalis leaf extract under ambient conditions.
- Characterization of AgNPs using UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- Evaluation of cytotoxicity using MTT assay on L929 normal cells and antiproliferative effects on HeLa cancer cells.
- Assessment of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
- Toxicity testing on Eisenia fetida (earthworm).
Main Results:
- Synthesized AgNPs were well-dispersed (7-14 nm) with characteristic surface plasmon resonance at 420 nm and fcc structure.
- AgNPs demonstrated dose-dependent cytocompatibility and toxicity towards L929 cells.
- AgNPs induced antiproliferative effects on HeLa cells, causing multinucleation, aggregation, and nuclear membrane disruption.
- Differential antibacterial efficacy was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
- No adverse effects on Eisenia fetida survival or reproduction were observed up to 1000 ppm of AgNPs.
Conclusions:
- Thuja occidentalis leaf extract facilitates the green synthesis of stable, well-characterized silver nanoparticles.
- The synthesized 'green' AgNPs exhibit significant anticancer and antibacterial potential.
- The nanoparticles show a favorable environmental profile, with no observed toxicity in earthworms at tested concentrations.
- These findings highlight the potential of green synthesized AgNPs as sustainable materials for biomedical applications.
