Biogenic synthesis of green and cost effective iron nanoparticles and evaluation of their potential biomedical properties

This present study for the first time reports a facile and ecofriendly route for synthesis of IONPs. The IONPs were simply synthesized using Rhamnella gilgitica leaves extract as both reducing and stabilizing agents. The color change of the reaction mixture from dark brown to reddish black determined the biofabrication of IONPs which was further confirmed by the presence of an absorbance peak at 341 nm. The biogenic IONPs were further studied using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques; SEM, TEM, XRD, DLS, FT-IR, EDX and Raman spectroscopy. The IONPs were further evaluated for anticancer potential against HepG2 cancer cells (IC50: 14.30 μg/mL) in concentrations range of 5.47–700 μg/mL. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity assay was performed against Leishmanial amastigotes (IC50: 26.91 μg/mL) and promastigotes (IC50: 9.63 μg/mL). In addition, cytotoxicity assay was evaluated against brine shrimps (IC50: 34.45 μg/mL). The disc diffusion method showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities. Significant antioxidants and enzyme inhibition potentials were revealed. Biocompatibility tests were performed against human RBCs and macrophages and determined the hemocompatible nature of IONPs. Overall, IONPs have played significant role in multiple biological applications. In future, we suggest different in vivo studies on toxicity aspects in different animal models and for once the biosafety is maintained, then these nanoparticles can be utilized in nano-pharma industries for the treatment of different diseases. [Display omitted] •Sample process for the green synthesis of IONPs using Rhamnella gilgitica leaves extract.•It was observed that the size of spherical shape IONPs is ∼21 nm.•Synthesized IONPs are non-toxic and biocompatible for biomedical applications.•IONPs exhibited significant anticancer, antimicrobial and enzyme inhibition potentials.