Luminescent Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesis Using Couroupita guianensis Flower Extract: Antibacterial and Anticancer Potential

Luminescence. 2024 Nov;39(11):e70005. doi: 10.1002/bio.70005.

Abstract

Green synthesis of nanoparticles has become a significant area of research, driven by the demand for sustainable, economical, and environmentally friendly processes, particularly in biomedical applications. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were produced using 10 g of Couroupita guianensis flower extract through a straightforward and environmentally friendly method. The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDS techniques, confirming their successful formation and structural properties. The antibacterial efficacy of the AgNPs was assessed against Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes, achieving 99.5% inactivation for E. coli and 99.3% inactivation for L. monocytogenes after 120 min of visible light exposure. Additionally, the AgNPs showed notable anticancer effects against breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), displaying a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability, with reductions of 15%, 30%, 72%, and 86% observed at concentrations of 25, 50, 75, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. The spherical morphology of the synthesized AgNPs contributed to enhanced interactions with bacterial and cancer cells, underpinning their effectiveness. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying these antibacterial and anticancer effects were analyzed, highlighting the unique phytochemical properties of the extract that assist in biosynthesis and activity enhancement. These findings suggest that green-synthesized AgNPs derived from C. guianensis flower extract hold significant potential for use in biomedical applications, particularly in antibacterial and anticancer therapies.

Keywords: AgNPs; Couroupita guianensis flower extract; anticancer activity; bacterial inactivation; visible light.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Escherichia coli* / drug effects
  • Flowers* / chemistry
  • Flowers* / metabolism
  • Green Chemistry Technology
  • Humans
  • Listeria monocytogenes / drug effects
  • Luminescence
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests*
  • Plant Extracts* / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts* / pharmacology
  • Silver* / chemistry
  • Silver* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Silver
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Antineoplastic Agents