Gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, and silver-gold nanocomposites using Suaeda maritima: Phytochemical analyses, biosynthesis, characterization, and biological activity
Atefeh Ashtari, Nastaran Kazemi, Ehsan Ghasemi, Narges Chamkouri, Zahra Koolivand, Elias Dahdouh, Fatemeh Golzarian
Abstract
Nanoparticles and nanocomposites with low concentration in the body are non-toxic and can be suitable alternative to antibiotics. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and silver-gold nanocomposite (Ag-Au NCs) were synthesized for the first time using galangin (GA) from Suaeda maritima (SM). A simple method was studied and optimized for the biosynthesis of AuNPs, AgNPs, and Ag-Au NCs using GA of SM. A variety of phytochemical compounds found in SM, such as phenols, convert metal into ions and serve as capping agents. The SM phytochemical analysis indicates a high concentration of GA in leaf shell extract, which is a flavonoid with anti-tumor properties. Characterization of GASMAuNPs, GASMAgNPs, and GASMAg-Au NCs was performed using a variety of spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. Based on transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, the size of the GASM-Ag-AuNCs (45 nm), GASM-AgNPs (50 nm) and GASM-AuNPs (7 nm) and was spherical. The cytotoxicity effects of these nanoparticles and nanocomposites on Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cell lines were studied. GA-SM-Ag-AuNCs reduced the cell viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Antibacterial activities were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli. GA-SM-Ag-Au NCs had maximum inhibition zones for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The maximum inhibition zones observed with GA-SM-Ag-AuNCs were higher than clindamycin, gentamycin, and tetracycline. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of GA-SM-Ag-AuNCs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was 15.6 μgmL−1. GA-SM-Ag-AuNCs have powerful antimicrobial potential, while having less cytotoxicity at low concentrations. The GA-SM-Ag-AuNCs reduced the cytotoxicity effects on MCF-7. This study showed that GASM-Ag-AuNCs synthesized using GA of SM has antibacterial and anticancer properties with fewer side effects and significant efficacy, which can be effective as a potential therapy in the future.