Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using flavonoids: hesperidin, naringin and diosmin, and their antibacterial effects and cytotoxicity

Three different flavonoids-hesperidin, naringin and diosmin (constituents of citrus plants) were used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Aqueous solutions of pure flavonoids (0.2 mg mL(-1)) mixed with 1 mM AgNO3 solution were exposed to bright sunlight to prepare the nanoparticles. Characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles by UV-Visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles were 10-80 nm in size and polydispersed in nature. Bactericidal effect against common pathogens and cytotoxicity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was investigated on human promyelocytic leukemic (HL-60) cells. It is concluded that AgNPs synthesized using Naringin as reducing agent showed higher stability and better antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.