Arif Ullah Khan

Silver and gold nanoparticles from Sargentodoxa cuneata: synthesis, characterization and antileishmanial activity

Leishmaniasis remains one of the fatal diseases worldwide and the conventional antileishmanial therapies are associated with several drawbacks. Therefore, there is a need to develop new antileishmanial strategies. Biogenic silver and gold nanoparticles possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities and could be future alternatives to current antimicrobial agents. In this report, we present a simple and green approach to synthesize silver and gold nanoparticles with efficient biological activities. Phytochemicals from Sargentodoxa cuneata were used to reduce and stabilize the silver and gold ions into metallic nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (surface plasmon resonance), X-ray diffraction analysis (crystallinity), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (size and morphology), energy dispersive X-ray (elemental composition) and FTIR (surface functionalities). Under optimized conditions, the synthesized silver nanoparticles were spherical in shape, of small sizes (3–8 nm) and well dispersed. However, the gold nanoparticles were mostly hexagonal in shape with approximate sizes from 15 to 30 nm. Promising antileishmanial activity was shown by silver and gold nanoparticles with an IC50 value of 4.37 and 5.29 μg mL−1 respectively. Silver nanoparticles also exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (32 ± 3 mm), Pseudomonas araginosis (16 ± 2 mm), and Bacillus subtilis (18 ± 2 mm). The depicted biological activities of nanoparticles are not simply due to the capped silver and gold atoms but also to their surface macromolecules. Thus, the use of Sargentodoxa cuneata as a reducing and capping agent will retain its biological activity even after the depletion of maintained silver and gold. The findings of this study indicate that these nanoparticles could be an alternative, safe, and effective source of antileishmanial agents.

Size dependent catalytic activities of green synthesized gold nanoparticles and electro-catalytic oxidation of catechol on gold nanoparticles modified electrode

A green and facile method for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was developed. Phytochemicals from the aqueous extract of Fagonia indica were used to reduce and stabilize gold precursor (HAuCl4) into gold nanoparticles. Various analytical techniques were used to determine size, morphology, composition, crystallinity, and capping biomolecules of the prepared gold nanoparticles. The appearance of characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak (SPR) at 542–565 nm revealed the synthesis of AuNPs (UV-Vis spectroscopy). XRD and EDX studies confirmed the face centered cubic structure and elemental composition of the green synthesized gold nanoparticles. Average particle sizes of 50, 20, and 70 nm were obtained by using the plant concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 mL respectively, with a fixed amount of HAuCl4 (2 mM). The effect of synthesis variables (amount of plant extract and HAuCl4) on the gold nanoparticles was also studied. Under the optimized conditions (10 mL plant extract + 2 mM HAuCl4 and pH 8) the biogenic gold nanoparticles were well dispersed, small sized (15–20 nm), and mostly hexagonal in shapes. These Fagonia indica mediated Au-nanoparticles were observed to have strong catalytic activity for the photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue and chemical reduction of 4-nitrophenol. 80% of MB could be photodegraded under visible-light irradiation after 80 min, showing the excellent photocatalytic activity of biogenic gold nanoparticles. Moreover, the catalytic activity was found to be size dependent. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) indicated the electrochemical reversible oxidation of catechol at the green synthesized Au-NPs modified glassy carbon electrode. The Au-NPs modified electrode showed excellent catalytic activity with strong stability toward the electrochemical oxidation of catechol.

Isatis tinctoria mediated synthesis of amphotericin B-bound silver nanoparticles with enhanced photoinduced antileishmanial activity: A novel green approach

After malaria, Leishmaniasis is the most prevalent infectious disease in terms of fatality and geographical distribution. The availability of a limited number of antileishmanial agents, emerging resistance to the available drugs, and the high cost of treatment complicate the treatment of leishmaniasis. To overcome these issues, critical research for new therapeutic agents with enhanced antileishmanial potential and low treatment cost is needed. In this contribution, we developed a green protocol to prepare biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and amphotericin B-bound biogenic silver nanoparticles (AmB-AgNPs). Phytochemicals from the aqueous extract of Isatis tinctoria were used as reducing and capping agents to prepare silver nanoparticles. Amphotericin B was successfully adsorbed on the surface of biogenic silver nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by various analytical techniques. UV-Visible spectroscopy was employed to detect the characteristic localized surface plasmon resonance peaks (LSPR) for the prepared nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies revealed the formation of spherical silver nanoparticles with an average particle size of 10-20nm. The cubic crystalline structure of the prepared nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. FTIR spectroscopic analysis revealed that plant polyphenolic compounds are mainly involved in metal reduction and capping. Under visible light irradiation, biogenic silver nanoparticles exhibited significant activity against Leishmania tropica with an IC50 value of 4.2μg/mL. The leishmanicidal activity of these nanoparticles was considerably enhanced by conjugation with amphotericin B (IC50=2.43μg/mL). In conclusion, the findings of this study reveal that adsorption of amphotericin B, an antileishmanial drug, to biogenic silver nanoparticles, could be a safe, more effective and economic alternative to the available antileishmanial strategies.

Enhanced visible light photocatalytic inactivation of Escherichia coli using silver nanoparticles as photocatalyst.

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were green synthesized using Cirsium arvense plant extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent, with superior photo inactivation activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli). The synthesized AgNPs had crystalline structure and were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD, HRTEM, SEM, EDX and FT-IR. The formation of nanoparticles was observed at different pH and different plant extract concentrations and it was found that at higher pH (pH>6) and at lower concentration (10 mL), the reducing and stabilizing efficiency of plant extract was increased. The synthesized AgNPs had small size (<15 nm) and spherical shape. The AgNPs were evaluated for antibacterial activity against E. coli. Before transferring it to antibacterial activity, it was placed under visible light for 120 min. The same experiment was performed in dark as a control medium. The photo irradiated AgNPs were observed to be more effective against E. coli. The results showed, that the diameter of zone of inhibition of visible light irradiated AgNPs against E. coli was 23 (±0.5)mm and in dark was 11 (±0.4)mm.

Photocatalytic and antibacterial response of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles.

Increase in the bacterial resistance to available antibiotics and water contamination by different toxic organic dyes are both severe problems throughout the world. To overcome these concerns, new methodologies including synthesis of nontoxic, human friendly and efficient nanoparticles is required. These nanoparticles not even inhibit the growth of microorganisms but are also effective in the degradation of toxic organics in waste water thus providing a clean and human friendly environment. The use of plants extracts to synthesize and stabilize noble metal nanoparticles have been considered as safe, cost-effective, eco-benign and green approach nowadays. In the present study, Longan fruit juice proficiently reduced ionic gold (Au(+3)) to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as well as mediated the stabilization of AuNPs. The antibacterial activity of AuNPs was carried out against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria using agar well diffusion method, followed by the determination of Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. AuNPs were found to have significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli with MIC values of 75μg/ml while outstanding MIC values of 50μg/ml against Staphylococcus areous and Basilus subtilus. AuNPs revealed significant photocatalytic degradation (76%) of methylene blue in time period of 55min, indicating the effective photocatalytic property of biosynthesized AuNPs (K=0.29/min, r(2)=0.95). The considerable antibacterial and photocatalytic activities of the photosynthesized AuNPs can be attributed towards their small size, spherical morphology and uniform dispersion. Our finding suggests the possible therapeutic potential of biogenic AuNPs in the development of new antibacterial agents as well as in the development of effective photocatalysts.

Visible light photo catalytic inactivation of bacteria and photo degradation of methylene blue with Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite prepared by a novel method

Water purification is one of the worldwide problem and most of the conventional methods are associated with a number of drawbacks. Therefore it is the need of the day to develop new methods and materials to overcome the problem of water purification. In this research work we present a simple and green approach to synthesize silver decorated titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO2) nanocomposite with an efficient photo catalytic activities. Phytochemicals of the Cestrum nocturnum leaf extract were used to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite. To confirm the formation, crystal structure, particle size and shape of green synthesized nanoparticles and nanocomposite, they were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The AgNPs, TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 were evaluated for photo degradation of methylene blue (MB) and photo inhibition of Bacteria. The bio-synthesized Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite was observed to have strong catalytic activities for photo reduction of MB and photo inactivation of bacteria as compared to bare AgNPs and TiO2. In the presence of Ag/TiO2, 90% of MB was degraded only in 40min of irradiation. Alternatively the bare AgNPs and TiO2 degraded less than 30% and 80% respectively of MB even in more than 100min of irradiation. Similarly the Ag/TiO2 has very strong photo inhibition efficiency towards Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The zone of inhibition of irradiated Ag/TiO2 nanocomposites against E. coli and P. aeruginosa was 19mm and 17mm respectively which was two times higher than in dark. These promising photocatalytic activities of nanocomposite may be due to the highly decorated AgNPs over the surface of TiO2.

Sapium sebiferum leaf extract mediated synthesis of palladium nanoparticles and in vitro investigation of their bacterial and photocatalytic activities

There is a growing need to introduce eco-friendly and sustainable procedures for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles that include a mild reaction conditions, simple reaction setup, use of nontoxic medium such as water and plant extract, cost effectiveness as well as greater efficiency for biomedical and catalytic applications. For this purpose, small and highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) were prepared by eco-friendly and cost effective green method using water soluble leaf extract of Sapium sebiferum as a reducing and capping agent. The formation of PdNPs was optimized at various temperatures i.e. (30°C, 60°C and 90°C) and different leaves extract (5mL and 10mL) in order to control their size and shape. The results indicated that PdNPs synthesized at 10mL leaf extract concentration and 60°C temperature have small sized (5nm) and spherical shape. The nanoparticles formation, their dispersion, size and shape were confirmed by various characterization techniques i.e. UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Dynamic light scattering technique (DLS) analysis. The biologically synthesized PdNPs were tested for size dependent photo degradation of methylene blue and inactivation of bacteria. The PdNPs synthesized at optimized condition (10mL extract concentration and 60°C) have strong photo catalytic activity and reduced 90% methylene blue in 70min. The optimized PdNPs also showed strong bacterial inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus 29(±0.8mm), Bacillus subtilis 19(±0.6mm) and pseudomonas aeruginosa 11(±0.6mm). The results of this examination demonstrate effective applications of extremely active PdNPs.

Facile and green synthesis of phytochemicals capped platinum nanoparticles and in vitro their superior antibacterial activity

The increase in the severe infectious diseases and resistance of the majority of the bacterial pathogens to the available drug is a serious problem now a day. In order to overcome this problem it is necessary to develop new therapeutic agents which are non-toxic and more effective to inhibit these microbial pathogens. For this purpose the plant extract of highly active medicinal plant, Taraxacum laevigatum was used for the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) to enhance its bio-activities. The surface plasmon resonance peak appeared at 283nm clearly represent the formation of PtNPs. The results illustrate that the bio-synthesized PtNPs were uniformly dispersed, small sized (2-7nm) and spherical in shape. The green synthesized PtNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX, DLS and FTIR. These nanoparticles were tested against gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) and gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The bio-synthesized PtNPs were examined to be more effective against both of the bacteria. The results showed, that the zone of inhibition of PtNPs against P. aeruginosa was 15 (±0.5) mm and B. subtilis was 18 (±0.8) mm. The most significant outcome of this examination is that PtNPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis which have strong defensive system against several antibiotics.

Ultra-efficient photocatalytic deprivation of methylene blue and biological activities of biogenic silver nanoparticles

Phytosynthesis of metal nanoparticles is considered as a safe, cost-effective, and green approach. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized using the aqueous extract of Lychee (Litchi chinensis) fruit peel and an aqueous solution of silver nitrate (AgNO3). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by several analytical techniques i.e. UV-Vis Spectroscopy, XRD (X-ray diffraction spectroscopy), EDX (electron dispersive X-ray), SAED (selected area electron diffraction), HRTEM (high-resolution transmission electron microscopy), and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). HRTEM and XRD results indicated that the prepared AgNPs are spherical in shape, well dispersed and face centered cubic crystalline. AgNPs showed potent antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 125μg against E. coli and 62.5μg against both S. aureus and B. subtilis. AgNPs induce efficient cell constituent release from bacterial cells, which indicates the deterioration of cytoplasmic membrane. Moreover, antioxidant studies on the as-synthesized nanoparticles reveal efficient scavenging of the stable or harmful DPPH free radical. The cytotoxicity assay confirmed that biosynthesized AgNPs are nontoxic to normal healthy RBCs. AgNPs exhibited consistent release of Ag(+) determined by ICP-AES analysis. AgNPs exhibited extraordinary photocatalytic degradation (99.24%) of methylene blue. On the other hand, commercial silver nanoparticles have moderate biological activities against the tested bacterial strains and negligible photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. The significant biological and photocatalytic activities of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles are attributed to their small size, spherical morphology and high dispersion.

Antioxidant and catalytic applications of silver nanoparticles using Dimocarpus longan seed extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent

In this study, a simple and environmental friendly method was developed for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using Dimocarpus longan seed extract as a source of reducing and stabilizing agent. The appearance of a surface plasmon resonance peak at 432nm confirmed the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (UV-visible spectroscopy). The biosynthesized Ag-NPs were face centered cubic structures (XRD) with an approximate particle size of 40nm (TEM). Optimization study revealed that 10mL of plant extract (2mM AgNO3) at 180min of incubation resulted the optimum product synthesis. Poly-phenolic compounds were majorly involved in the reduction of silver ions into Ag-NPs (FT-IR). The catalytic activities of Ag-NPs were assessed against the photo-catalytic degradation of methylene blue and chemo catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP). The results indicated that the prepared Ag-NPs have strong chemo catalytic activity with a complete reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP within 10min. Similarly, Ag-NPs displayed higher photo-catalytic activity (K=0.12) as compared to commercial Ag-NPs (K=0.003). In addition, the silver nanoparticles exhibited a promising antioxidant activity in scavenging DPPH radicals. The findings of this study conclude that the biosynthesized Ag-NPs are promising agent possessing strong catalytic and reducing properties.