Biological Applications, Green Synthesis, Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) Using Artemisia annua L.

This article reports on the silver nanoparticles (AaAgNPs) that were green-synthesized by using Artemisia annua L. extract (AaExt) and their collective biological applications. Active biomolecules in the extract and extract containing AgNPs were characterized using Fourier-transform-infrared-spectroscopy (FTIR) and AgNPs were monitored by UV/vis spectroscopy and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) analysis. The size of the particle is around 100 nm. The antibacterial activity was measured by the disk diffusion method against the Gram-negative/positive pathogenic bacteria. The extract and extract containing AgNPs showed a significant antibacterial activity. Cytotoxic potential of the synthesized AgNPs was analyzed against the rat splenocytes. The results showed that there were cytotoxic effects of A. annua leaves extract but stimulatory effects when the extract contained AgNPs on normal splenocytes. Extract of A. annua showed very little increase in liver enzymes. Regarding the larvicidal activity, the extract containing AgNPs was more effective than the crude leaves extract against 4th instar larvae of Culex pipiens (LC50 = 171.378 ppm) compared to the plant extract (LC50 = 5389.726 ppm) by about 31.449 folds.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that silver nanoparticles synthesized using Artemisia annua extract have significant antibacterial and larvicidal activity, with a stimulatory effect on normal splenocytes.