Origanum vulgare mediated biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles for its antibacterial and anticancer activity

In the present study, we achieved silver nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare (Oregano) by reducing 1 mM silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution. The green synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by high throughput techniques like UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic light scattering measurements. Morphologically, the nanoparticles were found to be spherical with an average particle size distribution of 136 +/- 10.09 nm. FT-IR spectral analysis illustrates the occurrence of possible biomolecules required for the reduction of silver ions. The obtained nanoparticles were stable (-26 +/- 0.77 mV) at ambient temperature. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were found to be impressive in inhibiting human pathogens. The green synthesized silver nanoparticles showed dose dependent response against human lung cancer A549 cell line (LD50 - 100 mu g/ml). (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.