Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs), targeted for green synthesis, have garnered significant attention due to their distinct characteristics in comparison to the macroscopic phase. Among various potential applications, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively researched for their therapeutic effects, particularly in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry. Drymaria cordata, a medicinal plant known for its secondary metabolites, has been employed for various purposes, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activities. The use of AgNPs has demonstrated the inhibition of a-amylase and a-glucosidase enzymes, along with their associated signaling pathways, contributing to diabetes control. However, the limited information on the biocompatibility of NPs under specific physiological conditions raises challenging questions regarding protein denaturation when interacting with nanoparticles in a cellular environment.
Green synthesis endeavors to generate NP by utilizing biological materials such as medicinal plants or microorganisms. This method of NP production offers increased energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and safety in comparison to traditional physical and chemical processes. The secondary metabolites present in D. cordata act as both capping and reducing agents, contributing to the stability of the synthetic nanoparticles. These secondary metabolites may include terpenoids, phenols, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Numerous studies have established a connection between oxidative stress and diabetes. Therefore, the use of secondary metabolite extracts from D. cordata holds promise for benefiting the 442 million individuals globally affected by diabetes.
Arya and colleagues conducted a comparative analysis of D. cordata extract and AgNPs coated with secondary metabolites in this research. AgNPs exhibit diverse interactions with proteins, depending on their charge, size, and surface properties. Upon entering the human body, nanoparticles target serum proteins, such as Hemoglobin (Hb). Hb, with its equal α-chains and equal β-chains in its quaternary structure, serves as an ideal protein model for biocompatibility evaluation. Arya and the research team focused on various properties of the synthesized AgNPs using the medicinal plant D. cordata, including production, characterization, antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and biocompatibility. Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, along with carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase, were utilized as models. The team evaluated the biocompatibility of synthetic AgNPs on Hb’s native structure under physiological conditions. Changes in the protein were observed using spectroscopic methods such as fluorescence spectroscopy, absorption, circular dichroism (CD) spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectrometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential.
Arya and the team found no hazardous chemicals were used to synthesize AgNP using D. cordata. Due to the bioactive compounds found in the medicinal plant’s extract posing as combinative reducing and capping agents, the production of AgNP is classified as green synthesis, with the added benefits of being precise, cost-friendly, profitable, safe, and environmentally friendly. The antibacterial studies found, using the MIC values, that synthesis AgNPs have the potential to be antibacterial against human pathogens. Antioxidant and antidiabetic in vitro studies, revealed enhanced biocompatibility. The spectroscopic studies showed that the Hb secondary structure was conserved under various AgNP concentrations. The thermal stability, structural composition, and integrity of the Hb were also maintained in the presence of the AgNPs. These results were further confirmed by the DLS with zeta potential, AFM, and TEM studies.
In conclusion, the research has significantly advanced our comprehension of the interactions between AgNPs and Hb, expanding the potential biomedical applications of these noble metal nanoparticles. Their findings contribute to exploring alternatives in nanomedicine, diabetic treatment, addressing multidrug resistance, and exploring antioxidant possibilities.
Author: Ayşe Han
Editor: Elif Duymaz
Reference: Arya, A., Chahar, D., Bhakuni, K., et al. (2024). Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Drymaria cordata and Their Biocompatibility with Hemoglobin: A Therapeutic Potential Approach, ACS Applied Bio Materials. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.3c00974
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