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Cancer

Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Show Promise for Biomedical Applications

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the Center for Biotechnology Sfax in Tunisia have successfully synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extracts and demonstrated their potent antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and anticancer properties. The study explored the potential of AgNPs derived from Teucrium polium (Tp), Teucrium marum (Tm), and Punica granatum (Pg) for biomedical applications, revealing unique physicochemical properties and promising candidates for combating antimicrobial resistance and cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study demonstrated the synthesis of AgNPs using plant extracts, with Teucrium polium (Tp) exhibiting the highest antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus epidermis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • The AgNPs from different plants showed distinct UV-vis absorption spectra, indicating their potential for optical and optoelectronic applications.
  • The biosynthesized silver AgNPs from Teucrium marum (Tm) exhibited the strongest inhibition of cancer cells, MCF-7, and Tp-AgNPs showed comparable anticancer activity.
  • The researchers observed significant anti-biofilm efficacy of Tp-AgNPs and Tm-AgNPs against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • The study highlighted the importance of surface modifications affecting dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and the presence of specific functional groups on the surface of biosynthesized AgNPs.
  • The AgNPs from Teucrium polium (Tp) and Teucrium marum (Tm) demonstrated the highest antimicrobial efficacy and anti-biofilm activity, making them promising candidates for biomedical applications.

Statistics:

  • The synthesized nanoparticles showed unique physicochemical properties, as evidenced by their distinct UV-vis absorption spectra
  • Tp-AgNPs exhibited the highest antibacterial efficacy (88.2% against Staphylococcus epidermis and 83.3% against Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and anti-biofilm activity
  • Tm-AgNPs demonstrated the strongest inhibition of cancer cells, MCF-7 (74.4% viability reduction)
  • The biosynthesized AgNPs from different plants showed distinct crystallite sizes and surface modifications affecting DLS measurements
  • The X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the face-centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure of AgNPs with peaks at (111), (200), (220), and (311) planes

Sources:

  • Research study: "Structural insights and biomedical potential of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles: antibacterial activity, anti-biofilm and cancer cell inhibition" (PeerJ, 2025, 13(): e19608)
  • Center for Biotechnology Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
  • Authors: Ikram Jemel, Najeh Krayem, Hajer Jlidi, Abir Ben Bacha, Mona Alonazi, Raihane Charguia, Areej Ali Alzahrani, Sami Aifa, Sami Mnif
  • Funding source: King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Journal publisher: PeerJ Inc.
  • Open-access version available at: https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.7717/peerj.19608

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