Cyamopsis tetragonoloba pod extract: A green route to multifunctional silver nanoparticles with enhanced biomedical activity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (C. tetragonoloba) pods (CTP-NPs) powder extract. The following techniques UV–visible spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for the characterization of these synthesized nanoparticles. UV–Visible Spectroscopy confirmed the formation of AgNPs via a distinct Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peak observed at 412 nm, indicating successful reduction. FT-IR Analysis identified key functional groups (e.g., N–H, C = O stretching) responsible for capping and stabilization, with major shifts observed at 3411 cm−1 and 1735.73 cm−1. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD): Revealed a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline structure. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): Illustrated a predominantly spherical morphology with average particle size 13 nm. The CTP-AgNPs IC50 values revealed notable variations in DPPH (183.61 μg/mL) in comparison to the ascorbic acid standard (25.7 μg/mL) and hydroxyl radical activity (53.6 μg/mL) in comparison to ascorbic acid (22.47 μg/mL). Antibacterial property of CTP-AgNPs against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) was proved by zone of inhibition 11 ± 0.79 mm and 12 ± 0.78 mm per 100 μg/mL respectively. In vitro anticancer assay demonstrated IC50 value of 18.25 μg/mL against A549 lung cancer cell line, which confirms its potent anticancer potential. Overall, the CTP mediated bio-synthesized AgNPs proved promising in vitro antioxidants by free radical scavenging, antimicrobial by zone of inhibition and anticancer by cytotoxic properties.