Characterization and biomedical application of phytosynthesized gold nanoparticles from Datura stramonium seed extract

Abstract

This study describes characterization and some biological evaluation of gold nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous seed extract of Datura stramonium. The phytosynthesized AuNPs was characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and evaluated for antifungal, antioxidant, thrombolytic and anticoagulant activities. The AuNPs were nearly spherical, and agglomerated in nature with size ranges of 75.1-156.5 nm. Gold was the most occurring metal noted on EDX analysis, while the AuNPs showed face-centred crystalline pattern. The UV-visible spectrum of the AuNPs synthesized displayed clear peak at 536 nm. The FTIR peaks at 3423.76, 2920.32, 2360.95 and 1635.69 cm-1 attributed to the involvement of proteins in the AuNPs biofabrication and capping. The AuNPs showed potent antifungal activity through inhibitions of mycelia by 57.9, 60.7, 64.5, 69.6 and 80.6 % against Fusarium solani, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus and A. fumigatus at 250 μg/ml respectively. The AuNPs synthesized showed scavenging properties of 28.9, 37.3, 42.5 and 52.4 % at 250, 500, 750 and 1000 μg/ml against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Furthermore, the synthesized AuNPs also showed free radical scavenging properties against nitric oxide at 250 (52.20 %), 500 (55.73 %), 750 (56.71 %) and 1000 (59.51 %) μg/ml respectively using sodium nitroprusside as positive control. Blood coagulation was prevented by the AuNPs at 250 (54 %), 500 (55 %), 750 (56 %) and 1000 (59 %) μg/ml. Also, AuNPs showed thrombolytic potential by causing lysis of blood clot thus, showing potential for biomedical applications. An in-expensive and environmental-friendly synthesis of AuNPs from Datura stramonium seed has been presented for various nano-biotechnological applications.