Molecular Docking, Antitumor and Antimicrobial Activities of Extracts and Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles From Piper...

Piper chaba, a traditionally important spice and medicinal plant, was investigated for its anticancer and antimicrobial potential using crude root extracts and root-derived synthesized silver/silver chloride nanoparticles. Cytotoxicity assessment using the brine shrimp nauplii assay revealed LC₅₀ values of 2445.56, 1983.56, and 1306.98 μg/mL for the aqueous PcRE (Aq), ethanolic PcRE (Et) extracts, and nanoparticle formulations PcRE (Np), respectively, indicating enhanced bioactivity of the nanoparticles. Antibacterial evaluation showed that PcRE (Np) exhibited lower MBC/MIC ratios (1.60-2.64) compared to PcRE (Aq) (2.00-2.13) and PcRE (Et) (2.17-2.20), suggesting superior bactericidal efficacy. At 250 μg/mL, PcRE (Np) demonstrated the highest antibiofilm activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 27853) (74%), followed by PcRE (Aq) (67%) and PcRE (Et) (42%). In vivo anticancer studies using Swiss albino mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) showed tumor growth inhibition of 26.3%, 32.0%, and 41.5% for PcRE (Aq), PcRE (Et), and PcRE (Np), respectively, at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day. Consistently, MTT assays against EAC cells indicated higher growth inhibition by PcRE (Np) (12.7%) compared with PcRE (Et) (7.5%) and PcRE (Aq) (6.65%) at 300 μg/mL. Treatment with PcRE (Np) significantly prolonged survival and improved hematological parameters, while also modulating cancer-associated blood glucose levels. Histopathological analysis revealed notable hepatic tissue recovery in PcRE (Np)-treated groups, exceeding that observed with fluorouracil. Molecular docking studies further supported these findings, demonstrating strong interactions of major P. chaba phytochemicals with COX-2 and p53 proteins. Collectively, these results highlight PcRE (Np) as a promising antimicrobial and anticancer candidate.