Evaluation of the biological responses of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Pelargonium x hortorum extract

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the widely studied nanomaterials for diverse biomedical applications, in particular, as antimicrobial agents to kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. In this report, AgNPs were synthesized using a geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) leaves extract and tested for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Using green biosynthesis, the leaves extract was employed as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Synthesis parameters like reaction time and precursor (silver nitrate AgNO₃) volume final were modified, and the products were tested against Streptococcus mutans. For the first time, the metabolomic analysis of extract, we have identified more than 50 metabolites. The UV-Vis analysis showed a peak ranging from 410–430 nm, and TEM confirmed their nearly spherical morphology for all NPs. The antimicrobial activity of the NPs revealed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 10 μg mL⁻¹. Concerning cytotoxicity, a dose-time-dependent effect was observed with a 50% cellular cytotoxicity concentration (CC₅₀) of 4.51 μg mL⁻¹ at 24 h. Interestingly, the cell nuclei were visualized using fluorescence microscopy, and no significant changes were observed. These results suggest that synthesized spherical AgNPs are promising potential candidates for medical applications.