Green synthesis and characterization of biologically active nanosilver from seed extract of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis

This article reports the utilization of seed extract (GSE) from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Gs-AgNPs) with versatile biological activities. The synthesized Gs-AgNPs were spherical in shape, crystal lattice with an average size of 20 nm as confirmed by UV–vis spectrum, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy with Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDS) and particle size analyses (PSA). Phenolic compounds, proteins, and terpenoids were likely involved in the Gs-AgNPs synthesis, as indicated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the Gs-AgNPs was 12.5 μg·ml−1 for S. enterica Typhimurium and 10 μg·ml−1 for S. aureus. The MBC of the Gs-AgNPs induced >70% bacterial cell death within 60 min, as confirmed by growth curve analysis followed by Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Gs-AgNPs showed the highest scavenging activity for 1, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl DPPH radical (92.3 ± 0.86%), Nitric oxide (NO) radical (72.5 ± 2.15%), and Hydrogen peroxide H2O2 radical (85.25 ± 1.45%). Anticancer results revealed an IC50 of 15.625 ± 1.3 μg·ml−1 for Gs-AgNPs, whereas it was 580.54 ± 2.5 μg·ml−1 for GSE. The Gs-AgNPs generated high reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in induced apoptosis as evident by up-regulation of apoptosis-related protein. In addition, the photocatalytic results revealed about 92% of the reduction in Coomassie Brilliant Blue dye color with Gs-AgNPs. Hence, this work provided economically viable and ecologically sustainable Gs-AgNPs as an alternative biomaterial for future therapeutic applications as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-cancer agents and in dye degradation for water remediation. [Display omitted] •Green synthesis of Gs-AgNPs using seed extract of Gardenia jasminoides.•Synthesized Gs-AgNPs characterized using UV–vis, FE-TEM, EDX, XRD, and PSA.•The antibacterial, anticancer and photocatalytic activity of Gs-AgNPs ascertained.•Gs-AgNPs showed the high potency towards versatile bioactivity.•Gs-AgNPs proved as an alternative biomaterial for future bioengineering application.