Development and Evaluation of Bio fabricated Silver Nanoparticles from Blumea lacera for In-vitro Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity

Background: Increasing prevalence of microbial resistance and side effects of currently available drugs compels the researchers to look for alternate therapies and formulations to overcome this problem. Plant based formulations have been proved to be most reliable agents in recent times. Objective: In the current study, bio fabricated herbal silver nanoparticles (HSNPs) were prepared by reducing silver nitrate (AgNO₃) solution with ethyl acetate fractions (EAF) of Blumea lacera extracts. These bios conjugated HSNPs were then assessed for potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities along with in vitro antioxidant effect. Methods and Results: The synthesis was confirmed by absorbance peak at 441 nm due to surface plasmon resonance in UV-visible spectrophotometer. FTIR spectra of HSNPs indicated the phytochemicals having C-O bond responsible for reducing of Ag⁺ to Ag^o. Average size of HSNPs was found to be 59.21 nm which was in good agreement with TEM and SEM results. EDS analysis showed the existence of Silver, Nitrogen and Carbon in HSNPs. The antibacterial activity of HSNPs in terms of zone of inhibition (ZOI) via disc diffusion assay and against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was found to be 25.0±1.19 mm and 18.3±2.08 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of HSNPs was found to be 50 μg/ml and 60 μg/ml against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The antioxidant capacity of the HSNPs was insignificant as compared to EAF but the results of anti-inflammatory activity was significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The overall result demonstrated better in-vitro pharmacological potential of HSNPs compared to neat extract/EAF. Key words: Green synthesis, Phytopharmaceuticals, Inflammation, Kukrounda, HPTLC.