Green-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Zingiber officinale: Physicochemical Characterization, Antibacterial...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) is crucial for viral entry into host cells.
• Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess antimicrobial properties and are explored for therapeutic applications.
• Green synthesis offers an eco-friendly approach to nanoparticle production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize silver nanoparticles using ginger extract (Zingiber officinale).
• To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles.
• To investigate the potential of ginger-derived silver nanoparticles (G-AgNPs) in modulating TMPRSS2 activity.

Main Methods:

• Phytochemical analysis of ginger extract via HPLC.
• Green synthesis of AgNPs using ginger extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent.
• Characterization using UV-Vis, FT-IR, DLS, zeta potential, XRD, and TEM.
• Antibacterial assays (MIC, MBC) against E. coli and S. aureus.
• Cytocompatibility assays with L929 fibroblasts.
• Enzyme inhibition assay for TMPRSS2 activity.

Main Results:

• Characterization confirmed the synthesis of quasi-spherical G-AgNPs (average diameter 10.61 nm) with an fcc crystalline structure.
• G-AgNPs exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus.
• High cytocompatibility was observed with L929 fibroblasts.
• G-AgNPs demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of TMPRSS2 activity, with an IC50 of 40.06 µg/mL.

Conclusions:

• Ginger-mediated silver nanoparticles are effectively synthesized and characterized.
• G-AgNPs possess significant antibacterial properties and are cytocompatible.
• These plant-based nanoparticles show potential as TMPRSS2 inhibitors, warranting further investigation for antiviral applications.