Green synthesis of gold nanoclusters using seed aqueous extract of Cichorium intybus L. and their characterization

Phytochemistry, pharmacological applications, and therapeutic effects of green synthesized nanomaterials using Cichorium species-a comprehensive review

Cichorium is a genus of potential medicinal herbs that finds widespread cultivation in regions spanning Asia and Europe. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, these plants are typically biennial or perennial in nature. Among the various explored varieties of chicory plants, the most commonly studied ones include Cichorium intybus, Cichorium endivia, and Cichorium pumilum. In Ayurveda, chicory has long been used as a remedy for many health problems. This versatile plant is renowned for its efficacy in managing conditions such as gallstones, gastroenteritis, sinus ailments, and the treatment of skin abrasions and wounds. Numerous bioactives, including polysaccharides, caffeic acid, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids, alkaloids, organic acids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and essential oils, are present, according to a thorough phytochemical examination. The phytochemicals isolated from chicory have displayed significant therapeutic activities, including antidiabetic effects, hepatoprotective benefits, anti-obesity properties, and anti-cancer potential, as extensively documented by numerous researchers. The incorporation of these bioactive compounds into one's diet as part of a healthy lifestyle has demonstrated considerable advantages for human well-being. Green synthesis is a recent technology in which plant extracts or phytochemicals are used for synthesizing nanoparticles since plant extracts are generally less toxic and contain capping and reducing agents. This review summarizes current developments in green synthesis employing phytoconstituents from Cichorium species and extracts from various plant parts and their application to scientific problems. In order to preserve lifestyles and cure human diseases, the investigation emphasizes the therapeutic effects of the chemical components and nanoparticles obtained from the extract of Cichorium species.

Green Synthesis of Bioinspired Nanoparticles Mediated from Plant Extracts of Asteraceae Family for Potential Biological Applications

The Asteraceae family is one of the largest families in the plant kingdom with many of them extensively used for significant traditional and medicinal values. Being a rich source of various phytochemicals, they have found numerous applications in various biological fields and have been extensively used for therapeutic purposes. Owing to its potential phytochemicals present and biological activity, these plants have found their way into pharmaceutical industry as well as in various aspects of nanotechnology such as green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles. The nanoparticles developed from the plants of Asteraceae family are highly stable, less expensive, non-toxic, and eco-friendly. Synthesized Asteraceae-mediated nanoparticles have extensive applications in antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, and photocatalytic degradation activities. This current review provides an opportunity to understand the recent trend to design and develop strategies for advanced nanoparticles through green synthesis. Here, the review discussed about the plant parts, extraction methods, synthesis, solvents utilized, phytochemicals involved optimization conditions, characterization techniques, and toxicity of nanoparticles using species of Asteraceae and their potential applications for human welfare. Constraints and future prospects for green synthesis of nanoparticles from members of the Asteraceae family are summarized.

Cichorium intybus bio-callus synthesized silver nanoparticles: A promising antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer compound

Cichorium intybus, commonly called chicory, has been widely used as a coffee substitute. It display a wide range of natural compounds and medicinally uses in treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. This study synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ci-AgNPs) using C. intybus leaf-derived callus extract to evaluate phytochemical content, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities against human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231). The optimal shape, size and stability of Ci-AgNPs was confirmed using UV-visible spectrophotometry, FESEM, EDX, XRD, DLS, Zeta potential, FTIR and sp-ICP-MS studies. The antibacterial activity of Ci-AgNPs was assessed using disk diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and they displayed distinct zones of inhibition. Colorimetric phytochemical analysis of Ci-AgNPs revealed their higher total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) content. Ci-AgNPs also indicated a high level of antioxidant activity using FRAP and DPPH assays. The Ci-AgNPs were investigated for their anticancer activities on the cancerous MDA-MB231 cells viability and apoptosis using MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. Ci-AgNPs showed dose dependent cytotoxicity against MDA-MB231 cells with IC50 value of 187.6 μg/mL at 48 h through induction of apoptosis. The biocompatibility test showed that Ci-AgNPs induced neglectable cytotoxicity (lower than 3 %) toward human erythrocytes. This is the first study that reports the bio-callus mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticle using C. intybus callus extract which provided a promising anticancer activity against human breast cancer MDA-MB231 cells and therefore could be used as an alternative and interesting benign strategy for biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles useful in cancer therapy.

Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Mediated by Andaliman Fruit Water Extract and Its Application as Antioxidants

Plant extract-mediated green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is currently gaining significant interest in the field of nanotechnology. In this study, AuNPs were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Andaliman fruit (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.). The formation of AuNPs was confirmed by observing the color change of the solution from clear to cherry red. The reaction parameters, namely the extract concentration and the ratio of the mixture of the extract with HAuCl4 solution, were optimized for the AuNPs biosynthesis. The gold nanoparticles were characterized using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, SEM-EDS, and particle size analyzer. The characterization suggested that AuNPs had a maximum wavelength ranging of 540–559 nm, with spherical crystals morphology where the highest component was gold at 36.01% and the size below 100 nm on average. The antioxidant activity of the synthesized AuNPs was determined using the DPPH method. It showed that the highest free radical scavenging activity was 83%, given by 20 ppm AuNPs.

Photodegradation of Biohazardous Dye Brilliant Blue R Using Organometallic Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized through a Green Chemistry Method

Simple Summary

In the paper, we utilize silver nanoparticles as a catalyst in the degradation of a hazardous dye. The nanoparticles are formed from the simple silver salt by using only a plant extract from a commonly occurring herb. The plant extract contains compounds that can both reduce the silver salt and subsequently cap the surface of the as-prepared particles. There are many environmental advantages to using such an approach—nanoparticles are prepared by using simple green chemistry and the catalytic degradation of dye is carried out by sunlight energy. Such a method can be used as a very cheap, green method to neutralize hazardous substances in-house.

Abstract

Nowadays, nanostructures having tremendous chemical and physical properties are gaining attention in the biomedical industry. However, when they are prepared through classical methods (physical and chemical), they are often non-biocompatible and toxic. Considering the mentioned factors, in this research, organometallic silver nanostructures (OMAgNs) have been prepared by the green chemistry method using the acetone, methanol, and methanol-hexane-based extracts of the medicinally important plant Cichorium intybus. Secondary metabolites from C. intybus can be used as an alternative to synthetic reagents at an industrial scale to manufacture biosafe and economical nanostructures with enhanced physicochemical parameters. Prepared nanostructures were characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, UV, and zeta potential measurement. SEM analysis revealed different shapes of OMAgNs, prepared with various extracts. XRD analysis showed the crystallinity of the nanostructures. FTIR spectroscopy helped to identify groups of compounds present in the extracts and used for the OMAgNs synthesis. Out of the three tested OMAgNs, those prepared with methanol extract were selected due to the highest obtained yield and stability (highest negative zeta potential) and were tested as a cost-efficient and active agent to photodegrade organic pollutant, Brilliant Blue R, using energy from sunlight. A decrease in UV-VIS absorbance confirmed the rapid degradation of the dye.

Direct Investigation of Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Polyscias scutellaria Leaf Extract in the Hexane-Water System Using the Centrifugal Liquid Membrane-Spectrophotometry Method

The Centrifugal liquid Membrane (CLM) method, which provides an ultra-thin two-phase liquid membrane system in a rotating glass cell, was successfully applied to Green Synthesis from Polyscias scutellaria (PS) capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-PS) using a Mangkokan leaf (Polyscias scutellaria) extract as a reducing agent and stabilizer in the hexane-water system. PS extract in hexane fraction as the organic phase has a UV absorption spectrum at the maximum wavelength, λmax of 220 nm, while the precursor of HAuCl4 solution as an aqueous phase has an λmax of 214 nm. Investigation of AuNPs-PS formation was carried out at various concentrations of Mangkokan leaf extract concentration; i.e., 0.001 0.003; 0.005; 0.007 and 0.009%, while the reaction was carried out at various rotational speeds of 5,000-9,000 rpm. The formation and stability of AuNPs-PS were observed from the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and absorbance changes as measured by a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results of measurements using CLM-Spectrophotometry shows the formation of AuNPs-PS in the hexane-water system at λmax of 534 nm.

Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Capped with Procyanidins from Leucosidea sericea as Potential Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Agents

In this study, procyanidins fractions of dimers and trimers (F1-F2) from the Leucosidea sericea total extract (LSTE) were investigated for their chemical constituents. The total extract and the procyanidins were employed in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and fully characterized. Au NPs of 6, 24 and 21 nm were obtained using LSTE, F1 and F2 respectively. Zeta potential and in vitro stability studies confirmed the stability of the particles. The enzymatic activity of LSTE, F1, F2 and their corresponding Au NPs showed strong inhibitory alpha-amylase activity where F1 Au NPs demonstrated the highest with IC₅₀ of 1.88 µg/mL. On the other hand, F2 Au NPs displayed the strongest alpha-glucosidase activity at 4.5 µg/mL. F2 and F2 Au NPs also demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity, 1834.0 ± 4.7 μM AAE/g and 1521.9 ± 3.0 μM TE/g respectively. The study revealed not only the ability of procyanidins dimers (F1 and F2) in forming biostable and bioactive Au NPs but also, a significant enhancement of the natural products activities, which could improve the smart delivery in future biomedical applications.