Biological Properties of Tricyrtis Formosana Using Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Famous for its wide variety of bioactive chemicals and its pharmacological uses, the East Asian medicinal plant Tricyrtisformosana has gained a lot of attention recently. A less harmful and more cost-effective alternative to traditional physical and chemical synthesis techniques for producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is the green synthesis, which involves extracts from plants. This process improves biological activity while reducing environmental impact. Focussing on their antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities, this work investigates the production, characterisation, and biological characteristics of silver nanoparticles mediated by Tricyrtisformosana. As a reducing and stabilising agent, Tricyrtisformosana leaf extract was used in the green chemistry synthesis of AgNPs. Surface plasmon resonance features were revealed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, which validated the production of nanoparticles. The functional groups involved in nanoparticle stabilisation were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), crystallinity was determined through X-ray diffraction (XRD), and size, shape, and dispersion were examined through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The findings validated the creation of stable, evenly distributed nanoparticles in the nanoscale range with a mostly spherical shape. The synthesised AgNPs showed promising antioxidant activity in biological evaluations, with DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging tests demonstrating their ability to neutralise oxidative stress and prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals. Weak inhibitory effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and harmful fungi were seen when the antibacterial effectiveness of AgNPs was evaluated against various bacterial and fungal strains. Their possible use in antimicrobial treatments is suggested by these results. In vitro cell line studies also assessed the cytotoxic effects of AgNPs, and they found dose-dependent suppression of cancer cell growth, suggesting that these nanoparticles may have anticancer properties. In conclusion, our research shows that silver nanoparticles mediated by Tricyrtisformosana have great potential as antioxidant, antibacterial, and cancer treatments in the biomedical industry. In addition to improving their biocompatibility, the green synthesis method is in line with sustainable nanotechnology standards. To investigate their potential for therapeutic applications and fully understand the processes behind their biological action, more research and in vivo investigations are needed.

Introduction

1. Introduction and Significance

• Nanotechnology, especially silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), has transformed fields like medicine, agriculture, and environmental science due to AgNPs' antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.

• Traditional synthesis methods are chemically intensive and unsafe, prompting the shift to green synthesis using plants, microbes, or natural extracts.

2. Role of Tricyrtis formosana

• Tricyrtis formosana, a medicinal plant native to East Asia, contains flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds with therapeutic effects.

• These phytochemicals act as natural reducing and stabilizing agents during nanoparticle synthesis.

• Green-synthesized AgNPs from this plant may have enhanced biological activity due to the synergistic effect of plant compounds.

3. Research Objective

• The study aims to:

  • Synthesize and characterize AgNPs using T. formosana extract.

  • Evaluate their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential.

  • Compare their effectiveness with conventionally synthesized AgNPs.

4. Literature Context

• Plant-based AgNPs are:

  • More biocompatible, eco-friendly, and effective than chemically synthesized ones.

  • Capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill microbes.

  • Known to inhibit cancer cell growth selectively.

• Prior studies on T. formosana suggest it has untapped potential for nanomedicine, but limited research has been conducted.

5. Synthesis Process

• Leaf extract from T. formosana was mixed with AgNO? solution.

• A brownish-yellow color change confirmed AgNP formation.

• The extract effectively reduced silver ions to stable AgNPs in water.

6. Characterization Techniques

• UV-Vis Spectroscopy: Showed absorption peaks at ~400–410 nm, confirming AgNP formation.

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): Revealed spherical nanoparticles sized between 35–55 nm.

• X-Ray Diffraction (XRD): Confirmed face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure of AgNPs.

• Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analyses were also employed to examine chemical composition and surface bonds.

7. Biological Activities

Antibacterial Activity

• AgNPs inhibited Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones ranging 5–10 mm, depending on the strain.

• Some isolates (HS-K4, HS-K5, HS-K9, HS-K15) showed strong antibacterial effects at 30 µg/mL.

Antioxidant Potential

• AgNPs demonstrated free radical scavenging activity, indicating potential against oxidative stress-related diseases.

Anticancer Potential

• AgNPs exhibited cytotoxicity toward cancer cells, supporting their possible use in nanomedicine and oncology.

Conclusion

This study examined the biological properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that were mediated by Tricyrtisformosana in detail. The research focused on the potential applications of AgNPs in many biomedical and technological fields. The green synthesis of AgNPs using T. formosana extract was environmentally benign, cost-effective, and efficient, and it resulted in the production of stable and well-characterized nanoparticles. The successful synthesis of AgNPs with the requisite physicochemical features was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The biological experiments indicate that these biosynthesised AgNPs have remarkable antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic characteristics. The antimicrobial study shown that the nanoparticles had a significant inhibitory effect on a number of bacterial and fungal strains, indicating that they may be utilised as a substitute for traditional antimicrobials. The findings of this work suggest that T. formosana-mediated AgNPs may be a viable answer to the increasing issue of antibiotic resistance, which gives optimism for the future of research into antimicrobial medications. Furthermore, research on free radical scavenging have proven that the nanoparticles have antioxidant properties, which suggests that they may help decrease oxidative stress and prevent degenerative diseases. Because of their antioxidant properties, T. formosanaAgNPs may have medical and nutraceutical applications. Oxidative stress is a significant factor in ageing, inflammation, and a variety of chronic illnesses. The cytotoxic investigation found that T. formosana-mediated AgNPs were very harmful to cancer cells but had minimal effect on healthy cells. The oncology community is thrilled about this finding since selective cytotoxicity is an important characteristic for developing effective medicines for cancer. The discovery of the anticancer potential may lead to the development of novel cancer therapeutics based on nanomedicine. This offers up new avenues for research into the molecular mechanisms that underlie their anti-proliferative and apoptotic activities. In conclusion, the study shows that silver nanoparticles mediated by Tricyrtisformosana have interesting prospective applications in biology. Their potential for usage in pharmaceutical and medical advancements is shown by their anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial characteristics. Although the first findings in vitro are encouraging, further study is needed on the bioavailability, long-term effects, and biosafety of these nanoparticles in living organisms, as well as clinical trials. Future research should look at the pharmacokinetics, molecular pathways, and large-scale production of these AgNPs to facilitate their transition from the laboratory to practical applications. It is important to investigate natural resources in order to improve therapy, and this research, which integrates nanotechnology with botanical science, paves the way for innovative and sustainable solutions in modern medicine. The combination of the therapeutic characteristics of T. formosana with those of silver nanoparticles creates exciting new opportunities for research in the fields of technology and biomedicine.

References

[1] Liu, X., Zhang, Y., & Wang, S. (2020). Biological properties of ceramic nanoparticles and their biomedical applications. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 109, 110595. [2] Elakkiya, R., & Gokulakrishnan, S. (2019). Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of Ag nanoparticles. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 19(12), 7369-7377. [3] Hossain, M. K., & Rashed, M. A. (2021). Nanoparticles in drug delivery: An overview. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 16, 2289-2301. [4] Khan, S. A., Ali, S. S., & Mohd, M. (2022). Antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles: A comprehensive review. Materials Today: Proceedings, 49, 1029-1034. [5] Shukla, S., & Singh, V. (2018). Synthesis and biomedical applications of nanoparticles. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2018, 1-9. [6] Zunino, J., & Rojas, M. S. (2021). Role of nanoparticle surface properties in biomedical applications. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine, 29, 102295. [7] Kumar, P., & Reddy, A. V. (2019). Nanoparticles and their potential applications in biomedicine. Biotechnology Reports, 21, e00335. [8] Muthukumar, S., & Prabakaran, S. (2017). Biological evaluation of metal oxide nanoparticles: A review. Journal of Biomaterials Applications, 32(6), 868-879. [9] Rajendran, S., & Gopal, D. (2020). Synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial activity of CaCu?Ti?O?? nanoparticles. Materials Research Express, 7(9), 095801. [10] Li, H., & Zhai, G. (2019). Biomedical applications of nanoparticles in drug delivery. Nano Life, 9(4), 1950014. [11] Sharma, M., & Soni, R. (2020). Evaluation of biocompatibility and antibacterial properties of calcium copper titanate nanoparticles. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 114, 111015. [12] Al Masoudi, L. M., Alqurashi, A. S., Abu Zaid, A., & Hamdi, H. (2023). Characterization and biological studies of synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles from leaf extract of Juniperus phoenicea (L.) growing in Taif Region, Saudi Arabia. Processes, 11(1), 272. [13] Almotairy, A. R. Z., Elwakil, B. H., El-Khatib, M., &Eldrieny, A. M. (2024). Chemically engineered nano selective silver shapes: Novel synthesis and their potential activity as anti-Candida agents. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 688, 133538. [14] Alsubhi, N. S., Alharbi, N. S., &Felimban, A. I. (2022). Optimized green synthesis and anticancer potential of silver nanoparticles using Juniperus procera extract against lung cancer cells. Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, 18(9), 2249-2263. [15] Bakri, M. M., El-Naggar, M. A., Helmy, E. A., Ashoor, M. S., & Abdel Ghany, T. M. (2020). Efficacy of Juniperus procera constituents with silver nanoparticles against Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium chlamydosporum. BioNanoScience, 10, 62-72. [16] Balciunaitiene, A., Viskelis, P., Viskelis, J., Streimikyte, P., Liaudanskas, M., Bartkiene, E., ... & Lele, V. (2021). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using extract of Artemisia absinthium L., Humulus lupulus L. and Thymus vulgaris L., physico-chemical characterization, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Processes, 9(8), 1304. [17] El Jemli, M., Ezzat, S. M., Kharbach, M., Mostafa, E. S., Radwan, R. A., El Jemli, Y., ... & Alaoui, K. (2024). Bioassay-guided isolation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive metabolites among three Moroccan Juniperus leaves extract supported with in vitro enzyme inhibitory assays. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 331, 118285. [18] Maeh, R. K., Jaaffar, A. I., & Al-Azawi, K. F. (2019). Preparation of Juniperus extract and detection of its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 50(4). [19] Mërtiri, I., P?cularu-Burada, B., &St?nciuc, N. (2024). Phytochemical Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Albanian Juniperus communis and Juniperus oxycedrus Berries and Needle Leaves Extracts. Antioxidants, 13(3), 345. [20] Ozgen, A., Aydin, S. G., &Bilgic, E. (2020). Enhancing the antibacterial activity of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles by\" puse\". Istanbul Journal of Pharmacy, 50(3), 245-251.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Prabhakar Poludasu, K. Suresh Babu. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.