Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Aqueous Extract of Zingiber officinale: Characterization and Insight into Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and In Vitro Cytotoxic Activities

Abstract

The main challenge for researchers in the biomedical sectors concerns the development of new active compounds through cost-effectiveness, rapid, simple, and ecofriendly methods to overcome antibiotic resistance to pathogenic microbes. Herein, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were fabricated by a green approach through the reduction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) by harnessing the metabolites present in the aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale rhizome. UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, DLS, and zeta potential were used to characterize phytosynthesized AuNPs. In addition, the antimicrobial effect was investigated against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), unicellular fungi (Candida albicans), and multicellular fungi (Aspergillus brasiliensis). Antioxidant and in vitro cytotoxic activities were assessed. TEM and XRD showed the successful formation of spherical and crystalline structures, with sizes in the range of 5–53 nm (average size: 15.11 ± 8.5 nm). The zeta potential value (i.e., –28.8 mV) explains the high stability of synthesized AuNPs. AuNPs exhibit promising activity against prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms with variable inhibition zones and low MIC values in the range of 25–6.25 µg mL−1. Phytosynthesized AuNPs exhibit DPPH scavenging activity with percentages of 87.6 ± 0.5% at a maximum concentration (1000 µg mL−1), which can be compared with ascorbic acid (97.3 ± 0.2%). Moreover, the AuNPs displayed a target-oriented effect for cancer cell lines HepG2 and MCF7 at low IC50 concentrations of 131.9 ± 9.34 and 288.23 ± 31.39 µg mL−1 compared to the normal oral epithelial OEC cell line (487.612 ± 3.53 µg mL−1). Overall, the phytosynthesized AuNPs show wide activities that enable their use in various biomedical and biotechnological applications.

RETRACTED: Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Benincasa hispida and evaluation of its anticancer activity against oral cancer cell line

“…DPPH solution (4 mM in 2 ml methanol) was prepared and mixed with varying concentrations of the AuNPs (20,40,60,80, and 100 µg/ml), and the absorbance was measured at 517 nm. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was determined using the formula: Radical scavenging activity (%) = (Abs control -Abs sample / Abs control) × 100.…”

“…Radical scavenging activity of AuNPs at various concentrations (20,40,60, 80 and 100 µg/ml) was measured by 2,20-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) [8]. The free radical scavenging activity was increased by a lower absorbance of the reaction mixture.…”

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Root Capsules Enhance Analgesic and Antioxidant Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium in Experimental Acute Inflammation

“…The low bioavailability and extensive phase II metabolism might be a limitation for the use of ginger in different pathologies and therefore new pharmaceutical forms for delivering ginger’s bioactive compounds are currently being developed [ 78 ]. For example, nanocarriers may further improve the beneficial effects of natural-based bioactive compounds as they protect the active compound from external injuries and internal pH variations [ 79 , 80 ].…”

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)-Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver-Doped Tin Oxide Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Its Antimicrobial Activity

“…Ginger extract contains a variety of active metabolites including volatile and nonvolatile compounds, such as gingerol, paradols, shogaol, alkaloids, flavonoids, and zingerone, which are believed to possess distinctive medicinal and biological properties . The bioactive compounds of ginger extract can serve as reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of nanomaterials. − The use of ginger extract promotes a green synthesis approach, aligning with sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.…”