Silver Nanoparticles Show Promise in Combating Multidrug-Resistant Microorganisms

Research conducted at the University of Sonora has revealed that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using plant-derived bioactive compounds demonstrate significant antimicrobial properties and potential biomedical applications. The study employed a bio-green approach to synthesize AgNPs using ethanolic extracts from Antigonon leptopus leaves, which were then characterized and tested for antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.

Key Takeaways:

• The synthesis of AgNPs using plant-derived bioactive compounds offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods, which often require harsh conditions and toxic reagents.
• The bio-green approach employed in this study resulted in the formation of spherical AgNPs with a surface plasmon resonance peak at 410 nm, and a hydrodynamic diameter of 93.48 ± 1.88 nm.
• The AgNPs demonstrated significant bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 3.9 mg/mL (Ag equivalent), with no toxicity observed in HeLa, T731-GFP, CaCo-2, or HaCaT cells at concentrations up to 7.8 mg/mL.
• The study highlights the potential of *Antigonon leptopus* extract as a sustainable and cost-effective resource for AgNPs synthesis, with strong antimicrobial properties and potential biomedical applications.

Statistics:

• The hydrodynamic diameter of the AgNPs was 93.48 ± 1.88 nm.
• The zeta potential of the AgNPs was -37.80 ± 1.28 mV.
• The bactericidal activity of the AgNPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was observed at a concentration of 3.9 mg/mL (Ag equivalent).
• No toxicity was observed in HeLa, T731-GFP, CaCo-2, or HaCaT cells at concentrations up to 7.8 mg/mL.

Sources:

• Phytosynthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from *Antigonon leptopus*: Assessment of Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Properties. Pharmaceutics, 2025,17(5):672.
• MDPI AG, publisher of Pharmaceutics.
• University of Sonora, Unidad Regional Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico.