A green approach to phytomediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Sambucus nigra L. fruits extract and their antioxidant activity

A simple and eco-friendly method for the phytomediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using European black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) fruit extracts was developed. The obtained AgNPs were characterized. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum of the biologically reduced silver showed a surface plasmon peak at 407 nm, characteristic for silver colloidal solutions. The average size of the biosynthesized, spherical in shape, nanoparticles was 26 nm, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The crystalline structure of metallic silver was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The antioxidant properties of the obtained biomaterial were assessed in vitro, using the 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzthiazino-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical cation decolorization test. The in vivo antioxidant activity of the AgNPs was investigated against carrageenan-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats. The results suggest that Black elderberry fruit extract mediated synthesized AgNPs present promising antioxidant activity and hence have a great potential in the development of therapeutic agents against oxidative tissue injuries. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.