Microwave-Assisted Green Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Using Root Extract of Hymenodictyon Orixense (Roxb.)

This study reports the eco-friendly synthesis of gold (AuNPs) and silver (AgNPs) nanoparticles using the alcoholic root extract of Hymenodictyon orixense. The use of H. orixense root extract offers a novel approach in green synthesis, as it has been relatively underexplored.The nanoparticles were synthesized via a microwave-assisted method, utilizing extract of H. orixense as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The phytochemicals present in the extract played a crucial role in reducing the metal ions and stabilizing the resulting nanoparticles. The synthesis was confirmed by a visual colour change and characterized using various physicochemical techniques. The synthesized gold and silver nanoparticles showed characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 544 nm and 427 nm, respectively. They exhibited significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 (breast cancer), A549 (lung cancer), and HepG2 (liver cancer) cell lines, with AuNPs exhibiting slightly higher cytotoxicity compared to AgNPs. Statistical analysis using ANOVA revealed that the cytotoxic effects of both AuNPs and AgNPs were significant (p < 0.001) compared to the untreated control cells. The study demonstrates the potential of H. orixense-mediated green synthesis in producing nanoparticles with promising anticancer properties. Quantitative comparisons revealed that AuNPs had lower IC50 values and higher antioxidant activity than extract and AgNPs. The significant cytotoxicity exhibited by these nanoparticles suggests their potential for further development as therapeutic agents. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, optimize the synthesis process, and evaluate the in vivo efficacy and safety of these nanoparticles.