Anti-Cancer, Anti-Inflammatory, and Analgesic Effects of Taxus wallichaina Extracts and Its Biosynthesized Silver...

This study investigates the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Taxus wallichiana Zucc. and evaluates their pharmacological potential. Taxus wallichiana, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, was utilized to synthesize AgNPs in an eco-friendly manner, leveraging phytochemicals as reducing and stabilizing agents. Characterization techniques, including UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the peak at approximately 430 nm, reaching its maximum at 0.72 with significant surface plasmon resonance peaks. Moreover, SEM identified successful synthesis of stable spherical and oval shapes, with AgNPs ranging in size from 10 to 20 nm, and FTIR exhibited distinct functional groups with peaks at 3649.39, 3622.62, and 3500.05 cm^-1 as O-H and -CH stretching. Similarly, C≡C stretching was observed at 2300.98 cm^-1, while the peak at 1570.97 cm^-1 was associated with the aromatic ring. Comparative analyses of the plant extract and its nanoparticles revealed enhanced anti-cancer (cytotoxicity up to 85.45%), anti-inflammatory (reduction up to 0.268 at 120 min), and analgesic (latency ranged from 9.4 to 10.1 s) activities for the AgNPs. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that the nanoparticles exhibited superior efficacy against U87 glioblastoma cells compared to the crude extract. Additionally, the study confirmed the safety of both the extract and nanoparticles through acute toxicity tests. While no significant analgesic effects were observed through the Hot plate method, the nanoparticles showed pronounced anti-inflammatory properties. This research highlights the therapeutic potential of Taxus wallichiana-derived AgNPs and underscores the role of nanotechnology in advancing plant-based medicine.