Literature Review

Introduction
Nanoparticles have been used in various fields of science and technology ranging from
material science to biotechnology. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles by a biogenic method
is a novel approach due to its cost-effective, eco-friendly, and large-scale production
possibilities. Multidrug resistance is a major health concern in the medical field [2].
Researchers are trying to avoid such problems by developing new antibacterial agents.
Nanotechnology gives the best approach for developing novel antibacterial agents or
substitutes [3]. Silver nanoparticles (TC-AgNPs) were successfully synthesised using
Terminalia chebula Retz. (T. chebula) leaf extract. Characterization of green synthesised
silver nanoparticles was performed using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transforms
infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Studies have focused on the biosynthesis of nanoparticles by using native plants in an area.
Analysis by Giri and Sharma (2022) concluded that the crystalline face-centred cubic
property of biosynthesised nanomaterial established by using XRD gave an average size of
the particle of 6.1 nm. Functional groups such as -OH,C=O,=NH were found to be
responsible for the reducing silver ions and stabilising the nanoparticles, which was
established using FTIR spectroscopy. The preliminary confirmation for the formation of
nanoparticles was by the colour change from light yellow to reddish-brown. After that, it was
kept properly in the dark for 24 h. Finally, the UV visible spectroscopy was taken under the
range of 300 to 700 nm. The nanoparticles were purified using the ethanol precipitation
method. In the same study, the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles was examined
against pathogenic bacteria using agar well diffusion method and the conclude by stating that
silver nanoparticles were most active against gram positive bacteria as compared to gram
negative bacteria. Furthermore, the study also references studies conducted on silver
nanoparticles as promising antimicrobial agents and states green synthesised silver
nanoparticles over the other Physico-chemical methods. Antioxidant activity was determined
using a DPPH assay. It is one of the best and most well-known and easy methods for
detecting antioxidant activity.
Conclusion
Biogenic method was adopted for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Terminalia
chebula Retz. Leaf extract and the method was found to be very efficient in terms of reaction
time and stability. It was found that plants with high phenolic and flavonoid contents can be
considered not only as their potency against antioxidant activity but also with strong metal
ion reducers. The study suggests that high value of flavonoids and phenols could have
supported the fast and easy reduction of silver ions and their stabilisation. UV-visible spectra
suggested the formation of silver nanoparticles showing surface plasmon resonance with the
λmax (420 nm). FTIR analysis also confirmed the bio-reduction of Ag+ ions to AgNPs by
various functional groups and their role in capping activity. TC-AgNPs exhibited average
antioxidant and strong antibacterial activity against four pathogenic bacteria like
Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia coli
with moderate cytotoxic activity (LC50 477.53±0.68 µg/mL) against brine shrimps in a
dose-dependent manner.Hence,the authors conclude by stating AgNP synthesised from this
approach have potential applications in the fields of medicine, especially in drug delivery.
Other studies with their plant species and their enhanced activity are tabulated below.

Species Part Enhanced Activity Reference

Rauwolfia Leaf Antimicrobial and 4

serpentina larvicidal

Azadirachta indica Leaf Antibacterial and 5

antimicrobial

Rhododendron Flower Antimicrobial and 6

antioxidant

Cannabis Sativa Leaf Antibacterial, 7

antimicrobial and
dye degradation

Bamboo Leaf effective reducing 8

agent and
antimicrobial

Lawsonia inermis Leaf Antimicrobial 9

Nepal is rich in biodiversity. It possesses tremendous options to synthesise nanoparticles from

its rich plant species. Many plant species are yet to be explored. Nanoparticles made from
plants discussed [tabulated] have enhanced antimicrobial and antibacterial activity which is
useful in the field of nanomedicines. Past few years researchers have been continuously
exploring the new applications of plant-based nanoparticles and have witnessed positive
signs.
References
1. Giri, R., & Sharma, K. (2022). Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using
Terminalia chebula Retz. Leaf Extract and Evaluation of Biological Activities .
Journal of Nepal Chemical Society, 43(1), 54–68.
https://doi.org/10.3126/jncs.v43i1.46957
2. H. Nikaido, Multidrug resistance in bacteria, Annual. Review Biochemistry, 2009, 78,
119-146. (DOI:10.1146/ annurev.biochem.78.082907.145923).
3. N. Beyth, Y. Houri-Haddad, A. Domb, W. Khan, and R. Hazan, Alternative
antimicrobial approach: nano antimicrobial materials, Evidence Based
Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015.
4. Panja, S., Chaudhuri, I., Khanra, K., & Bhattacharyya, N. (2016). Biological
application of green silver nanoparticles synthesised from leaf extract of Rauvolfia
Serpentina Benth. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 6(7), 549–556.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s2222-1808(16)61085-x
5. Verma, A., & Mehata, M. S. (2016). Controllable synthesis of silver nanoparticles
using neem leaves and their antimicrobial activity. Journal of Radiation Research and
Applied Sciences, 9(1), 109–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrras.2015.11.001
6. Regmi, R., Shrestha, M., Karki, D., Poudel, R. C., Banjara, M. R., & Khadka, D.
(2022). Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles
from the high-altitude medicinal plants Rhododendron anthopogon, Neopicrorhiza
scrophulariiflora and Rheum australe of Nepal. BIBECHANA, 19(1-2), 133–141.
https://doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v19i1-2.46406
7. Chauhan, A., Verma, R., Kumari, S., Sharma, A., Shandilya, P., Li, X., Batoo, K. M.,
Imran, A., Kulshrestha, S., & Kumar, R. (2020). Photocatalytic dye degradation and
antimicrobial activities of pure and Ag-doped ZnO using cannabis sativa leaf extract.
Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-64419-0
8. Yao, J. (2013). Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by bamboo leaves extract and their
antimicrobial activity. Journal of Fiber Bioengineering and Informatics, 6(1), 77–84.
https://doi.org/10.3993/jfbi03201307
9. Chauhan, S., & Upadhyay, L. S. (2019). Biosynthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles
using plant derivatives of Lawsonia inermis (Henna) and its surface modification for
biomedical application. Nanotechnology for Environmental Engineering, 4(1).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41204-019-0055-5