Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using ethanolic extract of Annona squamosa fresh leaves and investigation of antioxidant, anti-arthritic, and thrombolytic activities

Abstract

Aim: Plant-mediated synthesis of nanomaterials has been rapidly gaining popularity due to its eco-friendly
design and cost-effectiveness. In the present research, we synthesized silver (Ag) nanoparticles using ethanolic
extracts of fresh leaves of Annona squamosa (family Annonaceae) medicinal plant as bioreducing agents.
Materials and Methods: This method allowed the synthesis of nanoparticles, which was confirmed by
ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy. UV-vis spectra and visual
observation showed that the color of the fresh leaf extract of A. squamosa turned into grayish brown and brownish
yellow, respectively, after treatment with Ag precursors. Moreover, ethanolic leaf extract of A. squamosa silver
nanoparticles (AgNPs) was separately tested for their In vitro antioxidant, anti-arthritic, and thrombolytic activity.
Thrombolytic activity was evaluated using the in vitro clot lysis model. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to
evaluate the antiarthritic potential. Results: Nitric oxide generation radical scavenging activity, reducing power,
and Phosphomolybdenum assay of the synthesized AgNPs increased in a dose-dependent manner as compared
to ascorbic acid the standard reference used. The maximum percentage inhibition by BSA method was observed
as 71.4% at 200 μg/mL concentration for antiarthritic activity. During assay for thrombolytic activity, it revealed
that 85.620 ± 2.6% lysis of clot, while standard streptokinase and water used as positive and negative controls,
demonstrated 72.835 ± 1.702% and 2.725 ± 0.983% lysis of clot, respectively. Conclusion: This result confirmed
that A. squamosa is a potential biomaterial for synthesizing AgNPs which can be exploited for its antioxidant
activity, anti-arthritic, and thrombolytic activity.