Enhanced urease inhibition activity of Ag nanomaterials capped with N-substituted methyl 5-acetamido-β-resorcylate

Medically, bacterial ureases are important virulent factors and are used for treatment of peptic ulcers and urinary tones. Reported urease inhibitors are associated with various side effects including antibiotic resistance as a major one. Still there is an urgent need to synthesize new urease inhibitors. In this context we have synthesized new urease inhibitor i.e. AgL that is composed of Ag nanomaterials capped with N-substituted methyl 5-acetamido-β-resorcylate (L). The conjugation of L to silver was confirmed through FTIR, UV–vis and TEM analysis. Bare silver nanomaterials (Ag) were also prepared. The stability of AgL nanostructures was determined against various parameters (temperature, high salt concentration, pH) and found to be stable. The in vitro antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal), enzyme inhibition (xanthine oxidase, urease, carbonic anhydrase, α-chymotrypsin, cholinesterase) and antioxidant activities of AgL were investigated and compared with Ag, L and standard drugs. In comparison to other bioactivities, AgL shows statistically enhanced selective enzyme inhibition activity against urease enzyme. Urease inhibition activity of AgL was significantly greater than standard drug (thiourea), L and Ag. On a per weight basis, AgL required about 11–18 times less amount of L for inhibition of urease enzyme. [Display omitted] •Silver nanomaterials (AgL) with a mean size of 20 nm were synthesized and functionalized with N-substituted methyl 5-acetamido-β-resorcylate (L). Capping of L to silver was analyzed through UV-vis, FTIR and TEM techniques.•Stability of AgL nanostructures was determined against various parameters (temperature, high salt concentration, pH) and found to be stable.•Antimicrobial, enzyme inhibition (xanthine oxidase, urease, carbonic anhydrase, α-chymotrypsin, cholinesterase) and antioxidant activities of AgL were investigated and compared with Ag, L and standard drugs.•AgL showed enhanced selective enzyme inhibition activity against urease enzyme.•Urease inhibition activity of AgL was significantly greater than standard drug (thiourea), L and Ag. On a per weight basis, AgL required about 11–18 times less amount of L for inhibition of urease enzyme.