Silver nanoparticles from Ocimum basilicum L. tea: A green route with potent anticancer efficacy

Abstract

In this study we have produced silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Serbian traditional tea Bosiljak (Ocimum basilicum L.) extract in a single step without the involvement of toxic chemicals. The method employed is environmentally friendly, simple, and cost-effective, involving the use of an aqueous plant extract that serves as both a reducing and stabilizing agent for AgNPs. The AgNPs were studied using UV–Vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light spectroscopy (DLS) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The AgNPs exhibited surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at a wavelength of 344 nm as seen in UV–Vis Spectroscopy. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) result verified that the plant extract functions both as a capping agent and a reducing agent for the AgNPs. The results of FESEM and TEM revealed that the synthesized NPs exhibit an oval shape and possess an average diameter of 55 and 35 nm, respectively. The synthesized AgNPs have cytotoxic effect against the human cervical immortalized (HeLa) cancer cells. The cell viability was observed to decrease in dose dependent manner and the inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was 21.78 ± 0.68 μg/ml. Moreover, the anticancer potential of AgNPs was explored by observing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and gene expression of apoptotic genes via qRT-PCR technique. Ultimately, this study's findings indicate that the AgNPs derived from the extract of Serbian traditional tea Bosiljak have the potential to be considered for more detailed studies in for the treatment of not only cervical cancer in humans but also as a candidate for atherosclerosis and bacterial infection treatment