Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Pimpinella anisum seeds: antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity on human neonatal skin stromal cells and colon cancer cells

Abstract

Background

The present study focused on a simple and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with multipurpose anticancer and antimicrobial activities.

Materials and methods

We studied a green synthesis route to produce AgNPs by using an aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum seeds (3 mM). Their antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity on human neonatal skin stromal cells (hSSCs) and colon cancer cells (HT115) were assessed.

Results

A biophysical characterization of the synthesized AgNPs was realized: the morphology of AgNPs was determined by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and ultraviolet-vis absorption spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy showed spherical shapes of AgNPs of P. anisum seed extracts with a 3.2 nm minimum diameter and average diameter ranging from 3.2 to 16 nm. X-ray powder diffraction highlighted the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles, ultraviolet-vis absorption spectroscopy was used to monitor their synthesis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the main reducing groups from the seed extract. Energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of elemental silver. We evaluated the antimicrobial potential of green-synthesized AgNPs against five infectious bacteria: Staphylococcus pyogenes (29213), Acinetobacter baumannii (4436), Klebsiella pneumoniae (G455), Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, we focused on the toxicological effects of AgNPs against hSSC cells and HT115 cells by using in vitro proliferation tests and cell viability assays. Among the different tested concentrations of nanoparticles, doses < 10 µg showed few adverse effects on cell proliferation without variations in viability, whereas doses >10 µg led to increased cytotoxicity.

Conclusion

Overall, our results highlighted the capacity of P. anisum-synthesized AgNPs as novel and cheap bioreducing agents for eco-friendly nanosynthetical routes. The data confirm the multipurpose potential of plant-borne reducing and stabilizing agents in nanotechnology.

Keywords:

• antibacterial
• biosafety
• green nanotechnology
• metal nanoparticles
• Pimpinella anisum seeds
• cancer

Supplementary materials

Figure S1 (A) cytotoxic effects of AgNPs (high dose) on hSSCs. (B) Alamar blue assay showing the proliferation.

Note: (A) scale bars= 10 µm.

Abbreviations: AgNPs, silver nanoparticles; hSSCs, human neonatal skin stromal cells.

Figure S2 (A) cytotoxic effects of AgNPs (high dose) on HT115. (B) Alamar blue assay showing the proliferation.

Note: (A) scale bars= 10 µm.

Abbreviation: AgNPs, silver nanoparticles.

Acknowledgments

This project was fully financially supported by King Saud University through Vice Deanship of Research Chairs. This synthesis method has won an US patent recently (US patent issued on September 29, 2015; Publication number US 9144544 B1).

Author contributions

MSA and SD designed the study. All authors contributed toward the experiments, data analysis, drafting and revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.