Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Caesalpinia gilliesii (Hook) leaves: antimicrobial activity and in vitro cytotoxic effect against BJ-1 and MCF-7 cells -

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Caesalpinia gilliesii (Hook) leaves extract (70% MeOH) for the first time as a reducing agent were investigated for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity (using the MTT assay). After exposing the silver ions to C. gilliesii leaves extract, rapid reduction is observed leading to the formation of silver nanoparticles in the solution. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-visible spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The prepared silver nanoparticles demonstrated promising antimicrobial activity against tested pathogens than hydroalcoholic extract. Cell viability by using the MTT assay demonstrated cytotoxic activity of the synthesized AgNPs with C. gilliesii against normal skin fibroblast (BJ1) and human breast cancer cell (MCF-7) with IC50= 80.1 and 36.5 𝜇g/mL at 48h incubation, respectively. Depending on the phenolic and flavonoid content, C. gilliesii could be used for simple, nonhazardous, eco-friendly, cost-effective and efficient synthesis of AgNPs that can be used for large-scale production in the field of medicine.