Biological Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by an Endophytic Fungus Metapochonia suchlasporia-KUMBMDBT-23

The field of fungal nanotechnology has emerged as a novel area of research, leading to significant advancements in the production of nanoparticles with diverse applications for human benefit. This study exploits the endophytic fungus Metapochonia suchlasporia from the medicinal plant Argemone mexicana to biosynthesize Met-AgNPs. M. suchlasporia–submerged fermentation-derived ethyl acetate extract secondary metabolites are also examined. Bio-analytical methods characterized Met-AgNPs. A peak at 417 nm in the UV-visible spectrophotometer absorption spectrum confirmed Met-AgNPs synthesis. FTIR study showed functional group peaks, indicating Met-AgNPs reduction and capping. SEM-EDAX and HR-TEM revealed the nanoparticles’ spherical form, with EDAX revealing silver atoms at 3 keV. XRD confirmed Met-AgNP crystalline structure. DLS and zeta potential measurements showed that synthesized Met-AgNPs were 59.04 nm and stable. Simultaneously, the ethyl acetate extract underwent rigorous analysis to identify secondary metabolites, utilizing UV-visible spectrophotometer, GC-MS, and FTIR techniques. The synthesized Met-AgNPs showed strong antibacterial action against P. aeruginosa (14.06 ± 0.11 mm at 10mg/mL) and excellent antifungal activity against A. brasiliensis (14.1 ± 0.17mm). Also, active Met-AgNPs inhibited DPPH and ABTS with IC50 values of 5.329 and 7.191 μg/mL. Met-AgNPs were cytotoxic up to 52.95% and 46.57% at 200 μg/mL in MTT tests. Nanoparticles also showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in in vitro and in vivo studies. In conclusion, this research strongly supports the pharmaceutical and biomedical potential of the synthesized Met-AgNPs, underscoring their importance as valuable agents in various biomedical applications.