Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Chromolaena odorata Leaf Extract and its Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Activities

Abstract

An attempt was made in this work to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from aqueous leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata. Qualitative analysis of phytochemicals revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, proteins, sterols, quinones, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phenolics in the aqueous extract of C. odorata leaves. The separation of constituents in the aqueous extract was done using Thin-layer Chromatography. Total flavonoid content, phenolic content, and total antioxidant activity were investigated and were estimated to be 26.43 μg/ml, 63.74 mg/g GAE, and 41.45 μg/ml respectively. The characterization of the synthesized C. odorata extract-mediated AgNPs was done by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. The result of antibacterial activity by the Agar well diffusion method showed that all the test isolates were susceptible to the synthesized AgNPs. The MTT assay results demonstrated that the synthesized AgNPs had an antiproliferative impact on the MCF 7 cell line, with IC50 values of 96.34 µg/ml. As confirmed by acridine orange-ethidium bromide staining, AgNPs induced apoptosis in cancer cells. These findings suggest that C. odorata-synthesized AgNPs induce apoptosis and inhibit cell growth and proliferation.