Ephedra intermedia mediated synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles and their antimicrobial, cytotoxic and hemocompatability evaluations

Biosynthesis, optimization, physicochemical properties and nanomedicinal applications of the Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & C.A.Mey mediated silver nanoparticles (Et-AgNPs) has been established. The effect of different parameters like precursor concentration, extract to precursor ratio pH and temperature were assessed on the synthesis and properties of Et-AgNPs. The optimized parameters like 2.5 mM AgNO3 concentration, pH 8, extract to precursor ratio of 1:10 v/v and temperature of 60 °C were used for biosynthesis. Room temperature physicochemical properties of Et-AgNPs were established using by Ultra violet visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Et-AgNPs were found in the range of 29 nm to 53 nm size. Bactericidal potential of Et-AgNPs was studied against B. subtilis, K. pneumoniae, S. epidermidis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli. Antifungal properties of Et-AgNPs were established against Mucor sp., A. flavus, A. niger and A. fumigatus. K. pneumonia and E. coli were found most susceptible to the Et-AgNPs with MICs 33.3 µg mL-1and 11.1 µg mL−1 respectively. Whereas, among the fungal strains Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucor spp were least susceptible. MTT assay revealed a median lethal dose of 32.6 µg mL−1 against human liver cancer cell lines (HepG2), while hemolytic study revealed compatibility of Et-AgNPs with RBCs.