Characterization, Antiplasmodial and Cytotoxic Activities of Green Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nephrolepis exaltata Aqueous Extract

Abstract

The use of non-toxic synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) by an aqueous plant extract has proven to be a viable and environmentally friendly method. Therefore, the present investigation is based on the FeO NPs synthesis by means of FeCl3·6H2O as a precursor, and the plant extract of Nephrolepis exaltata (N. exaltata) serves as a capping and reducing agent. Various techniques were used to examine the synthesized FeO NPs, such as UV-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). The FT-IR studies were used to identify different photoactive biomolecules at 3285, 2928, 1415, 1170, and 600 cm−1 in the wavenumber range from 4000 to 400 cm−1, indicating the -OH, C-H, C-O, C-C, and M-O groups, respectively. The XRD examination exhibited crystallinity, and the average diameter of the particle was 16 nm. The spherical nature of synthesized FeO NPs was recognized by SEM images, while the elemental composition of nanoparticles was identified by an EDX spectrophotometer. The antiplasmodial activity of synthesized FeO NPs was investigated against Plasmodium parasites. The antiplasmodial property of FeO NPs was evaluated by means of parasite inhibitory concentration, which showed higher efficiency (62 ± 1.3 at 25 μg/mL) against Plasmodium parasite if compared to plant extracts and precursor. The cytotoxicity of FeO NPs was also assessed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) under in vitro conditions. The lack of toxic effects through FeO NPs keeps them more effective for use in pharmaceutical and medical applications.

One-Step Phytofabrication Method of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Using Haloxylon salicornicum for Anticancer, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Activities

“…The IRs of H@Ag-NPs were located at nine peaks of 3424.7 [ 66 ], 2928.8 [ 67 ], 2861.8 [ 68 ], 1634.0 [ 69 ], 1510.3, 1386.5, 1240.2, 1059.7 [ 70 ], and 587.6 cm −1 , corresponding to strong, broad O-H stretching of alcohol; medium C-H stretching of alkane; medium C-H stretching of alkane; medium C=C stretching of alkene; strong N-O stretching of nitrocompound; medium C-H stretching of aldehyde; medium C-N stretching of amine; strong C-O stretching of primary alcohol; and strong C-Cl stretching of halocompound. FTIR peaks of H@Au-NPs occurred at 3424.7, 2928.8, 2861.8, 1747.4 [ 68 ], 1634.0, 1465.9 [ 68 ], 1231.0 [ 70 ], 1173.2 [ 71 ], 1059.7 [ 70 ], and 582.0 cm −1 , corresponding to strong, broad O-H stretching of alcohol; medium C-H stretching of alkane; medium C-H stretching of alkane; strong C=O stretching of esters or δ-lactone; strong C=C stretching of alkene; medium C-H bending of alkane; medium C-N stretching of amine; strong C-O stretching of tertiary alcohol or ester; strong C-O stretching of primary alcohol; and strong C-Cl stretching of halocompound. By analyzing the IR spectra of both plant extract and NPs, it was found that the main functional groups on the NPs’ surface were O-H or C-O of alcohol, N-O of nitrocompound, C-N of amine and C-H of hydrocarbons (essential oils/terpenes), suggesting that these biomolecules might mitigate the synthesis process of NPs as reducing and capping agents [ 72 ].…”

Biogenic synthesis of RICINUS COMMUNIS mediated iron and silver nanoparticles and its antibacterial and antifungal activity

“…Studies have confirmed the capability of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using plant extracts of Salvia spinosa grown In vitro [ 42 ]. Faisal et al [ 43 ] reported on the toxicity of the biosynthesized nanoparticles on human PMBCs in in vitro experiments. The absence of toxicity in nanoparticles provides more stability for subsequent pharmaceutical and other medical applications.…”

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Green Synthesis and Their Antimicrobial Activity

“…Intracellular mechanisms involve the enzymatic reduction of metal oxide ions through the electrostatic binding of metal ions to -COOH groups of the microbial cell wall, metal ions diffuse into the cell and interact with enzymes to form metal oxide nanoparticles [30,31]. For this type of synthesis, the microorganisms are grown under optimal conditions, then the biomass is washed with sterile water and incubated with a solution of metal salts until a color change indicates the nanoparticle synthesis [26] (Figure 1).…”