Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) made by green synthesis offer a variety of biochemical properties and are an excellent alternative to traditional medications due to their low cost. In the current study, we synthesised AgNPs from the leaf extract of the medicinal plant Uvaria narum, commonly called narumpanal. The nanoparticles were characterised by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SEM analysis showed AgNPs are highly crystalline and spherical with an average diameter of 7.13 nm. The outstanding catalytic activity of AgNPs was demonstrated by employing the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. The AgNPs showed antiangiogenic activity in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. AgNPs demonstrated anticancer activity against Dalton’s lymphoma ascites cells (DLA cells) in trypan blue assay and cytotoxicity against three fish cell lines: Oreochromis niloticus liver (onlL; National Repository of Fish Cell Lines, India (NRFC) Accession number—NRFC052) cells, Cyprinus carpio koi fin (CCKF; NRFC Accession number—NRFC007) cells and Cyprinus carpio gill (CyCKG; NRFC Accession number—NRFC064). Furthermore, the AgNPs demonstrated their ability to inhibit pathogenic microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The results from the study displayed green synthesised AgNPs exhibit antiangiogenic activity, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and catalytic properties, which are crucial characteristics of a molecule with excellent clinical applications.

Discovering novel natural resources for the biological synthesis of metal nanoparticles is one of the two key challenges facing by the field of nanoparticle synthesis. The second challenge is a lack of information on the chemical components needed for the biological synthesis and the chemical mechanism involved in the metal nanoparticles synthesis. In the current study, microwave-assisted silver nanoparticle (AgNP) synthesis employing the defensive gland extract of Mupli beetle, Luprops tristis Fabricius (Order: Coleoptera; Family: Tenebrionidae), addresses these two challenges. This study was conducted without killing the experimental insect. Earlier studies in our laboratory showed the presence of the phenolic compounds, 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene, and 2,5-dimethylhydroquinone in the defensive gland extract of L. tristis. The results of the current study show that the phenolic compounds in the defensive gland extract of the beetle has the ability to reduce silver ions into AgNPs and also acts as a good capping and stabilizing agent. A possible mechanism for the reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) into AgNPs is suggested. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX) analysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscopic (HR-TEM) techniques. The stability of biologically synthesized nanoparticles was studied by zeta potential analysis. The TEM analysis confirmed that AgNPs are well dispersed and almost round shaped. The average size of nanoparticle ranges from 10 to 20 nm. EDX analysis showed that silver is the prominent metal present in the nanomaterial solution. The AgNPs synthesized have antibacterial property against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Radical scavenging (DPPH) assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity of the AgNPs. AgNPs exhibited anticancer activity in a cytotoxicity experiment against Dalton’s lymphoma ascites (DLA) cell line.

The unpredictable invasion of the Mupli beetle, Luprops tristis Fabricius (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), makes areas uninhabitable to humans. These beetles produce a strong-smelling, irritating secretion as a defence mechanism, which causes blisters on contact with human skin. In the current study, gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) analysis of the defensive gland extract of the Mupli beetle revealed the presence of compounds such as 2,3,dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene, 2,5-dimethyl hydroquinone, tetracosane, oleic acid, hexacosane, pentacosane, 7-hexadecenal and tert-hexadecanethiol. The defensive gland extracts showed considerable antibacterial activity on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in an agar diffusion assay. The chromosomal aberration analysis using root tips of Allium cepa L. exposed to the defensive secretion showed chromosomal aberrations such as disturbed metaphase, sticky chromosomes and chromosomal breakage. The antioxidant activity of the extract was determined using a radical scavenging (DPPH) assay. A cytotoxic assay of the defensive gland extract against Dalton’s lymphoma ascites (DLA) cell line showed anticancer properties. In the present study, the defensive gland extract of the Mupli beetle, L. tristis, which is generally perceived as a nuisance insect to humans, was found to have beneficial biological activities.

This is the first report of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis utilizing the pitcher secretion from an insectivorous plant, specifically Nepenthes ventrata, through a microwave assisted green synthesis approach. The successful formation of AgNPs was validated through a comprehensive set of analyses, including UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, DLS analysis and Zeta potential measurements. In addition gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry analyses were conducted to examine the components present in the pitcher secretion. These analyses aimed to identify the capping and stabilizing agents in the secretion that facilitate the synthesis and stability of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs significantly inhibited biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, as demonstrated by Crystal Violet staining and fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, these AgNPs showed promising antioxidant properties through a DPPH radical scavenging assay. Furthermore, the anticancer properties of the AgNPs were analyzed using an MTT assay, which measures cell metabolic activity as an indicator of cell viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. Collectively, these findings suggest that the biosynthesized AgNPs possess multifaceted biological applications, showcasing their utility as both antimicrobial and antioxidative agents, and highlighting their potential in medical and environmental applications.

This study presents a novel approach to fabricate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the poisonous plant, Holigarna arnottiana leaf extract. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by a color change from green to dark brown and validated by UV analysis. FTIR analysis identified functional groups on the AgNPs, while Zeta potential analysis assessed their stability. TEM analysis established an average diameter of 18 nm and a spherical morphology for the nanoparticles. LC MS analysis coupled with database searches revealed the presence of diverse bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, nucleotides, dipeptides, enzymes, and glycosides. These compounds are postulated to act as reducing agents in the leaf extract-mediated synthesis process. Moreover, the bio-fabricated AgNPs exhibited noteworthy anticancer properties against DLA cells. In addition, AgNPs displayed substantial antimitotic effects in an assay involving Allium cepa root cells. These findings underscore the potential of the AgNPs as cytotoxic agents. The biosynthesized AgNPs showed antimicrobial activity against various bacterial pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the AgNPs exhibited outstanding radical-scavenging properties in the DPPH assay, suggesting their potential application in antioxidant therapies. The study collectively highlights the successful synthesis of AgNPs through a green, biocompatible approach, and demonstrates their promising potential for anticancer, antimitotic, and radical-scavenging applications.

The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using environmentally friendly methods has become increasingly important due to its sustainability and cost-effectiveness. This study investigates the green synthesis of AgNPs using gall extracts from the plant Ficus recemosa, known for its high phytochemical content. The formation of AgNPs was verified through multiple analytical techniques, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential analysis, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The UV-Vis spectroscopy results displayed a distinct surface plasmon resonance peak indicative of AgNP formation. FTIR analysis revealed specific interactions between silver ions and phytochemicals in the gall extract, while TEM images confirmed the nanoscale morphology and size of the synthesized particles. Zeta potential and DLS analyses provided insights into the stability and size distribution of the AgNPs, demonstrating good colloidal stability. Biological properties of the AgNPs were assessed through various assays. Antimicrobial activity was tested using the disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, showing significant inhibitory effects. The anticancer potential was evaluated using the trypan blue exclusion assay on Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) cells, revealing considerable cytotoxicity. Additionally, antimitotic activity was studied in the dividing root cells of Allium cepa, where the AgNPs significantly inhibited cell division. This research highlights the effective use of F. recemosa gall extracts for the green synthesis of AgNPs, presenting an eco-friendly approach to producing nanoparticles with strong antimicrobial, anticancer, and antimitotic properties. The promising results suggest potential applications of these biogenic AgNPs in medical and agricultural sectors, paving the way for further exploration and utilization.