Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Mitracarpus scaber extracts for the treatment of infectious disease: synthesis, characterization, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficacy

Objective: Due to the need for better treatments for infectious disorders, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of Mitracarpus scaber (M.scaber) extracts were assessed in this study. Methods: AgNPs were synthesized from 0.1M AgNO3 solution using M.scaber aqueous and ethanolic extracts as capping and reducing agents. FTIR, UV-VIS, FESEM and XRD studies were used to analyze the generated AgNPs. The Agar well diffusion method was used to evaluate their antibacterial activity against E. coli, while egg albumin and carrageenan-induced paw oedema assays were used to measure the anti-inflammatory activity of silver nanoparticles of aqueous and ethanol extracts of M.scaber (A.AgNPs and E.AgNPs). Result: The formation of A.AgNPs and E.AgNPs at λ max = 425 nm and 410 nm, respectively, were demonstrated by UV–vis spectroscopy. The XRD pattern showed that the crystalline phase of silver and the generation of A.AgNPs and E.AgNPs were well aligned. Agglomerated A.AgNPs and E.AgNPs with particle sizes ranging from 5 to 20 nm were seen in the FESEM micrograph. The antibacterial activity result showed that, in a dose-dependent manner, A.AgNPs had a significantly (P<0.05) higher antibacterial activity against E.coli than E.AgNPs.The anti-inflammatory activity result showed that, following the fourth hour of the experimental setup, 100 mg/kg of A.AgNPs with peak effect (24.46 % inhibition) and 50 mg/kg of E.AgNPs with peak effect (18.11 % inhibition) produced the greatest inhibition of oedema development caused by carrageenan and egg albumin injection respectively. Conclusion: The present work, therefore, concludes that A.AgNPs and E.AgNPs have potential value in the management of infectious diseases.