Green-Synthesized Anzer Honey-Derived Silver Nanoparticles: Selective Cytotoxic Effects, Oxidative Stress, and...

In this study, the structural, surface, dielectric, biological, and functional properties of biogenically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AH-AgNPs) produced using Anzer honey (AH) were comprehensively investigated. Physicochemical characterization revealed that the nanoparticles exhibited frequency-dependent dielectric behavior, with the dielectric constant decreasing from approximately 8.8 to 6.0 as frequency increased, while AC conductivity increased markedly. Surface analyses yielded a total free energy of 38.393 mN/m (23.295 mN/m dispersive, 15.098 mN/m polar) and moderate wettability (67.58° water; 59.32° DMF), indicating the presence of bioactive organic coatings. Biological assays demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity, particularly against C. albicans, and significant photocatalytic efficiency, with methylene blue degradation reaching 21% within 90 min. Notably, AH-AgNPs showed selective cytotoxicity: At 5 μg/mL, doses were non-toxic to healthy L929 fibroblasts, whereas cell viability decreased significantly in A549 lung cancer cells. This anticancer effect was primarily mediated by oxidative stress, as evidenced by a marked increase in TOS (from 9 to 81.79 μmol H₂O₂ eq/g) and OSI (32.90 to 446.51 AU) at higher concentrations. Furthermore, in the wound-healing model, the wound closure rate was 68.49% in the AH group, increasing to 73.89% in the AH-AgNP-treated group, representing one of the most striking outcomes of the study and suggesting enhanced cell migration and proliferation in the presence of nanoparticles. These multifunctional properties-combining distinctive dielectric characteristics, low cytotoxicity to healthy cells, selective anticancer activity, and environmental remediation potential-position these biogenic AH-AgNPs as promising candidates for advanced biomedical and environmental applications.