Antimalarial silver and gold nanoparticles: Green synthesis, characterization and in vitro study

In the present study, we are reporting antimalarial potential of silver (AgNPs) and gold (AuNPs) nanoparticles synthesized by leaf and bark extract of Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston (Myrtaceae). AuNPs and AgNPs obtained by both the extracts were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). NMR and FTIR spectra indicate that the saccharides and phenolics present in the S. jambos extracts were the major contributors responsible for the synthesis and stabilization of NPs. NPs were also synthesized by chemical methods and were compared for their antiplasmodial potential against chloroquine sensitive (3D7) and resistant (Dd2) strain of Plasmodium falciparum by using 24h schizont maturation assay. AgNPs synthesized by both the extracts showed higher antiplasmodial activity than the rest. Further, NPs synthesized by S. jambos extracts have shown insignificant cytotoxicity against human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and rat skeletal muscle cell line (L6), which proved their biocompatibility.