Eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Trigonella foenum-graecum: formulations, characterizations, and application in wound healing.

Abstract

Background: Due to the toxicity and serious side effects of chemical incorporated in topical dosage form used for treatment of wound healing, there is a need to use natural preparation as wound healing preparation.

Aims: Seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) are used to synthesize eco-friendly silver nanoparticles (SNPs) in an appropriate way to heal wounds.

Methods: To synthesize SNPs, TFG was incubated with AgNO₃ to produce SNP-TFG. The obtained SNP-TFG was characterized for their wavelength, size and ζ-potential, surface morphology, and yield production. Then, SNP-TFG was formulated as a topical cream (O/W), characterized, and applied to the rats' groups to examine its wound-healing activity. Finally, a skin biopsy was performed to assess all rats' immunostaining and histopathological (HP) alterations in skin lesions on days 3, 7, 10, and 14.

Results: The prepared SNP-TFG showed non-aggregated nano-formulation, with a λ_max of 396 nm. SNP-TFG recorded a size of 43.65 ± 2.1 nm, a charge of -15.03 ± 3.2 mV, and showed yield of 52.61 ± 1.41% while the release was continued for more than 12 h. During the biosynthesis process, the compounds present in TFG are capable of reducing silver ions (Ag⁺) to form SNPs. SNP-TFG cream showed a pH nearly equal to the skin's pH, with suitable viscosity and homogeneity and an apparent permeability of 0.009 ± 0.001. Further, the HP of the SNP-TFG showed a substantial reduction in wound mass, wound granulation tissue growth enhancement, and epidermal re-epithelialization (proliferation) compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The obtained SNP-TFG is considered a novel skin wound-healing natural and eco-friendly nano-formulation.