Green synthesis gold nanoparticle from Rosa damascena: antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic activities on nerve cells and inhibitory effects on Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

This study investigates the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Rosa damascena extract. The objective is to assess the antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the biosynthesized AuNPs and to evaluate their inhibitory effects on proteins associated with Parkinson’s disease and experimental study incorporating in vitro biological assays, physicochemical characterization techniques and molecular docking analysis was also performed. Characterization tests were performed via UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay, while antimicrobial efficacy was tested against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Cytotoxicity was evaluated the MTT assay. The biosynthesized AuNPs exhibited strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, along with reduced cytotoxicity in neuronal models. Molecular docking revealed favourable binding affinities of key phytoconstituents (such as quercetin, kaempferol and geranyl acetate) with neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins, supporting their potential therapeutic relevance. Rosa damascena-mediated green synthesis of AuNPs yields nanoparticles with promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective properties and the bioactive compounds of this plant demonstrate a highly significant impact on the inhibition of deleterious proteins and the preservation of neuronal integrity. These findings suggest the potential utility in treating neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease.