Cytotoxic and radiosensitizing potential of silver nanoparticles against HepG-2 cells prepared by biosynthetic route using Picrasma quassioides leaf extract

Abstract Synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from medicinal plants is an emerging and eco-friendly biosynthetic route. An aqueous extract of Picrasma quassioides (P. quassioides) leaves was used for the synthesis of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using different methods, namely; ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscope (AFM). The UV–Vis spectrum of the synthesized AgNPs showed absorption peak at 412 nm. The FTIR study provides evidence for the occurrence of possible biomolecules responsible for the reduction of silver ions to a zero-valent metal as well as capping agent that helps in increasing the stability of the fabricated AgNPs. The XRD pattern analysis revealed peaks at 38.35° (111), 46.75° (200), 64.65° (220) and 77.75° (311) corresponding to the diffraction facets of silver. TEM, AFM and SEM analysis showed that the AgNPs were almost spherical in shape with an average size of 5–40 nm. Cytotoxic and radiosensitization potential of AgNPs formulation was determined on HepG-2 cell lines.