Evaluation of Green Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles from Abrus precatorius Seeds for their Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-proliferative and Antidiabetic Properties

Abstract

The study of nanoparticles is the evolving and most promising field of science, which has several
applications in medicine and science. Noble metals and metal particles have been used to treat many diseases
since ancient times. The plant originated green synthesis is an environmentally friendly, economically viable and easy method for synthesizing gold nanoparticles. Abrus precatorius seeds have been used as herbal
medicine for many diseases in India and other Asian countries since ancient times. The main objective of this
study was to synthesize gold nanoparticles from Abrus precatorius seed extract, and evaluate its phytopharmacological potential. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were subjected to characterization using UV-Vis
spectroscopy, TEM, SAED, FTIR and XRD. The XRD pattern proved that the crystals are face centred
cubic amorphous without any impurity. The average size of gold nanoparticles was 45nm, and amorphous
in nature. The AuNPs showed good antibacterial activity with a zone inhibition of 24 mm with MIC of 45
µg/mL against M. luteus. Abrus precatorius also showed a significant cytotoxic effect against hepG2 (liver
cancer cell line) and HeLA (cervical cancer cell line). In adition, in vitro antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory
activity revealed significant activity. To conclude, these findings imply that Abrus precatorius gold nanoparticles could be a promising candidate for various medicinal applications when synthesized in a cost-effective,
environmentally friendly, and greenway synthesis. Further, in vivo research is warranted concerning Abrus
precatorius as a potential candidate for therapeutic applications.