Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from extracts of Pechuel-loeschea leubnitziae: their anti-proliferative activity against the U87 cell line

Abstract

The application of green chemistry for the synthesis of nanoparticles is said to be environmentally friendly and cost efficient. The paper reports on the cell anti-proliferative activity of Pechuel-loeschea leubnitziae, synthesis of silver nanoparticles using P. leubnitziae and characterization. The UV–vis spectroscopy confirmed presence of a peak at 400 nm, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of peaks from 700-4000 cm⁻¹ correlating to AgNPs. Presence of silver, carbon and oxygen was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy showed a uniform spherical particle in the size of 100 nm, and scanning electron microscope showed spherical particles at a magnification of 100 µm. The extracts and the synthesized AgNPs were tested for cytotoxicity and anti-cancer activity against the Vero and U87 glioma cell lines. The results for both cell lines indicated that dichloromethane extract and AgNPs were cytotoxic and had potential anti-cancer properties.

Keywords:

• Inhibition
• U87 glioma
• Cytotoxicity
• Silver nanoparticles

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Dr Bertrand Sone, Flow Process and Rheology Centre, Faculty of Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town 8001, South Africa and Dr Ernie Langer, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural science, Chemistry, University of the Free State, Park West, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 9300 for assisting with the characterization of the nanoparticles.

Additional information

Funding

We would like to thank the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Central University of Technology and University of the Free State for the financial support.