Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous fruit and tuber extracts of Momordica cymbalaria

Plant extracts have been extensively used for the green synthesis of nanoparticles as they are rich in eco-friendly bioactive compounds possessing high metal-ion reducing potential. The present study is aimed at investigating the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using aqueous fruit and tuber extracts of Momordica cymbalaria, also to test their antibacterial and cytotoxic potential. AgNP’s formation was noticed initially by the colour change in the reaction mixture i.e., green to red, which was confirmed further through a characteristic SPR peak at 446 nm and 432 nm respectively. The AgNP’s size, elemental property, phase purity and crystallite size was assessed through SEM, EDS and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The AgNPs exhibited prolonged stability infer to the layering of phenolic and protein moieties, identified by FTIR spectrophotometry. Tuber and fruit extracts prepared AgNPs were tested for anti-bacterial activity against pathogenic organisms and they have shown higher bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli in comparison to Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro cytotoxicity of tuber extract AgNPs against prostate (PC-3) and breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB 231) cells has given lower IC50 values (72.39 and 64.03 µg/ml, respectively, than the fruit extract prepared AgNPs (85.42 and 111.74 µg/ml, respectively). The study concludes that the fruit and tuber extracts of Momordica cymbalaria can be successfully used for the synthesis of AgNPs that exhibit effective anti-bacterial as well as cytotoxic potential.