Antimycobacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant and Photocatalytic Activity of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Berberis Integerrima

Berberis integerrima with various secondary metabolites is used in the treatment of various diseases. In this project, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared through a green process using a fruit extract of B. integerrima. Several techniques such as UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, TEM, PXRD, FTIR and zeta potential analysis were used in characterization of biosynthesized AgNPs. The biosynthesized AgNPs were in spherically shaped with a mean diameter of 30 nm. Moreover, the biosynthesized AgNPs seemed to exhibit a higher bactericidal and antifungal activity against infective bacteria (S. aureu s, E. coli, P. aeruginosa) and pathogendic fungi (Candida species). Also, green fabricated nanoparticles show suitable photocatalytic activity that AgNPs destroyed up to 82.5% of the methylene blue dye from aqueous environment. Antioxidant test based on total phenolic compounds showed the content of total phenol in the B. integerrima extract and AgNPs was 51 and 21 mg gallic acid equivalent, respectively. The anticancer effect against human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) showed that high anticancer effects depend on the time and concentration of extract and AgNPs. These results suggest that the these nanoparticles could be efficiently apply as an alternate antimicrobial/anticancer agent in contrast to infections and cancerous cell lines, and is beneficial for purification of water and pollutants solutions in environment.