Characterization and Evaluation of Multiple Biological Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Fabricated from Dragon Tongue Bean Outer Peel Extract

Abstract

Background

The dragon tongue beans are a legume belonging to the Fabaceae family, are rich in protein, starch, fiber, and other micronutrients that have numerous health-promoting benefits. Its peel commonly the waste parts also contains lots of bioactive compounds.

Materials and Methods

In the current research, dragon tongue bean peels (DtbP) extract is tested for the existence of phytochemicals. Ag nanoparticles are biosynthesized using DtbP extract. The generated DtbP silver nanoparticle characterization was accomplished using UV-Vis spectral analysis, FTIR spectral analysis, SEM analysis, EDX analysis, XRD analysis, zeta potential, and DLS study. Furthermore, comparative assessment on multi-biological activities of the biosynthesized Ag nanoparticles was accomplished by employing cytotoxicity (inhibition against HepG₂ cancer cells), antidiabetic (α-glucosidase inhibition assay), and antioxidant (free-radical scavenging) analysis.

Results

The characterization result of the DtbP-AgNPs demonstrated that the AgNPs synthesized within 24 h. The AgNPs are nearly spherical. The biological effect assay of AgNPs displayed that DtbP-AgNPs is having significant cytotoxicity, antidiabetic, and moderate antioxidant effect. This study results as a whole report the biosynthesis of DtbP-AgNPs utilizing the legume dragon tongue bean waste peel and assessment of their multiple biological activities. The synthesized DtbP-AgNPs could serve as a potential candidate in the pharmaceutical industries in the formulation of drugs for the treatment of several medical ailments concerning cancer, diabetes, etc.

Introduction

Nano-scaled technology offering distinctive features like their large surface area to surface volume ratio, small size, chemical, mechanical, magnetic, and optical properties. Nanotechnology prompts the use of novel metallic nanoparticles intended for the natural treatment of cancerous cells, bio-imaging, identification of diseases, and particular drug delivery. It has extensive applications in numerous sectors like food, biomedicine, agriculture, and cosmetic industries that have arisen as one of the huge arenas of research.^1–3

At present, the synthesis of plant-mediated metal (Ag, Au, Zn) nanoparticles is the main point of attraction among current researchers due to its unique characteristics higher optoelectronic property, and biocompatibility.^2–4 Biosynthesis methods are recently used to synthesize nanoparticles by utilizing natural (reducing, capping, and stabilizing) agents.^4–6 Using plant material synthesis of metal NPs like AgNPs is a non-toxic, harmless, economical, and eco-friendly method of nanoparticle synthesis.^3,7 Silver is the foremost commercialized nano-particle with around five hundred tons of AgNPs produced nanoparticles/year and anticipated to increase shortly (Neha, 2019).

In the fabrication of NPs, there has been very rare usage of daily food waste resources from the domestic or food manufacturing industries. During the processing of plant food materials, the produced huge amount of byproducts throughout the processing of vegetables and fruits aggregates to an ecological problem owing to their high volume. The preventive methods to decrease the waste amount, the highly appropriate alternative is to reuse the waste resources into other materials or energy which can be utilized in numerous applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food trades.⁸ In the present day, it would be advantageous if food waste resources may well recycled and utilized as reducing agents for generating nanomaterial. To date to produce nanomaterials, several attempts have been made by a variety of biological waste resources to generate different types of nanomaterials that could be of low cost, eco-friendly, and extremely active for usage in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and biomedicines.⁸

Previously, various studies have also reported vegetable waste peel aqueous extract mediated silver nanoparticles including our previous findings like Pisum sativum,⁸ and others like Momordica charantia,⁹ and Raphanus sativus¹⁰ lime,¹¹ etc. The eco-friendly and economical vegetable and fruit peels are generally considered waste products. However, research investigations on vegetable and fruit peels report the existence of vital phytochemicals and revealed their various biological activities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potential, etc., which can be utilized for therapeutic applications, in the health, food, and textile industries.^12–16 Legumes including beans and peas are sources of plant proteins, vitamins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, amino acids, carbohydrates with diverse nutritive characteristics and are used globally in traditional medicines.^17,18 The protein of beans can promote the reduction of cholesterol and the regulation of diabetes. The phenolic of beans can promote several benefits like reducing the incidence of cardiovascular and cancer diseases. It has also anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.^17,19 Dragon tongue beans (Dtb) are botanically a cultivar of Phaseolus vulgaris species and a member of the family Fabaceae. The Dtb are the source of vitamins (A, C, K), proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, potassium, iron, calcium, and manganese, etc. The beans are the key food among the Fabaceae family with various bioactive compounds.^20,21 The beans have a great biological and antioxidant perspective which can be advantageous to the health of humans.²¹

There is a very rare report regarding the dragon tongue bean waste peel extract mediated fabrication of AgNPs and its biological properties. This study is economical and eco-friendly, hence the current research considered the use of the legume Dtb waste peels for the synthesis of AgNPs and assessment of their multiple potential such as cytotoxicity, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant effects.

Materials and Methods

Materials, Preparation, and the DtbP Extract Phytochemical (Primary) Screening

The dragon tongue bean was obtained from the Goyang-si marketplace (Republic of Korea). The primary phytochemical screening of DtbP extract was done for the existence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, proteins, amino acids, and carbohydrates using the standard protocols. Anthraquinones test: DtbP powdered sample 6 g was taken in a conical flask and benzene (10 mL) was added to it (soaked for 10 min) and filtered. Ammonia solution (10%), 10 mL was further mixed to it continuously for 30 seconds. In the ammonia phase change of color of the test solution to red, or pink-violet color specified the anthraquinones existence.²² Flavonoids test: In a test tube DtbP extract (1 mL) was taken and 1 mL of dilute NaOH was treated to it. The presence of a gloomy precipitate confirms the existence of flavonoids.²³ Proteins and Amino acids: The proteins and amino acids in the DtbP extract were determined by the methods described by Sadasivam and Manickam,²⁴ Ninhydrin solution (about 0.5 mL) was added to 2 mL of the solvent extracts and boiled for 2 min and then cooled, the appearance of blue color confirms the presence of proteins and amino acids. Carbohydrate test: In a test-tube 2 mL of DtbP extract was taken, 2 drops of 5% 1-naphthol in alcohol (Molisch’s reagent) were added and mixed properly. Then the concentrated H₂SO₄ (1 mL) was added to the side of the test tube. The appearance of a purple or red-cum violet ring at the junction of the two liquid layers indicates the existence of carbohydrates.²⁵

DtbP Aqueous Extract Fabricated AgNPs Synthesis

The dragon tongue bean peels (DtbP) were washed properly, drain out the water completely, and chopped into pieces. The chopped up waste peels (100g) were taken in a 1 Lt Erlenmeyer flasks with 500 mL DDH₂O, boiled with continuous stirring for 20 min and then cooled down, and filtered using a filter paper, and then put in storage at 4°C till use.⁸ For biosynthesis of AgNPs, briefly, 180 mL 1 mM AgNO₃ solution was taken in a 500 mL of Erlenmeyer flasks and to it 20 mL of aqueous DtbP extract was added slowly dropwise with continuous stirring till complete 20 mL of the DtbP extract are mixed into the mixture.²⁶ The DtbP-AgNPs synthesis was witnessed by monitoring the gradual alteration in the pigment of the solution (test reaction solution) with respect to time period. The mixture solution was kept for 24 h and then it was centrifuged (at 10,000 rpm, 30 minutes). The supernatant was thrown away and the pallet was collected and cleaned with DDH₂O. The cleaning process was repeated 3–4 times, to remove the unreacted aqueous DtbP extract from the synthesized DtbP-AgNPs. In the concluding step, the generated pellets were dehydrated (55°C) and well-preserved for further study.

Synthesized DtbP-AgNPs Characterization

The synthesized DtbP-AgNPs were characterized through UV-VIS spectrum analysis, FTIR, SEM, EDX, XRD, zeta potential, and DLS study through particular instruments using a standard protocol detailed in the previously published research reports.²⁷ To generate DtbP silver NPs, the bio-reduction of the Ag+ ions was evaluated by calculating the absorption spectra of the test reaction through a UV-VIS spectrophotometer (Mutiskan Go; Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) at 2 nm resolution in between 300–700 nm (for 24 h). The color of the reaction solution was also documented by each time interval. Using an XRD machine (X’Pert MRD; PANalytical, Almelo, The Netherlands, set up with Cu Kα radians at 40 mA and 30 kV at an angle of 2θ) the nature of the bio-generated DtbP-AgNPs was determined. On the glass slides (sample holder) the powdered AgNPs were loaded by evenly spreading following the standard procedure as stated²⁷ and studied using the inbuilt software. The bio-generated DtbP-AgNPs were investigated for their surface morphology and elemental composition through the SEM and EDX analyzer. The DtbP silver NPs were spread over the glass slide using a carbon tape and sputter-coated with platinum before observation, through an ion coater apparatus for 2 min under SEM analyzer (Hitachi S-3000N, Tokyo, Japan). By using the technique stated by Zhou et al²⁸ and Patra et al²⁹ using an EDX detector allied with the SEM device, the elemental structure of the DtbP silver NPs was also detected. The FT-IR spectra of both AgNPs and the aqueous DtbP extract was evaluated by FT-IR spectrophotometer (Spectrum TwoTM FT-IR Spectrometer; PerkinElmer, MA, USA) at wavelengths ranged between 400–4000 cm−1. At the sample loading point, a pinch or 2 µL of the DtbP extract was placed and analysed. The presence of various functional groups that participate in the NP synthesis was assessed by several modes of vibration.²⁷ The bio-generated DtbP-AgNPs was characterized for their size distribution through DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering) and evaluated for their Zeta potential (Malvern Zetasizer Nano-ZS machine, Malvern, UK) to confirm the size and charge of DtbP-AgNPs by following the earlier published protocol of Clogston and Patri et al³⁰ at 25◦C temperature. Before analysis, the sample was sonicated and diluted using DDH₂O in 1:10 concentration.

Synthesized DtbP-AgNPs Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxicity Effects

The α-glucosidase inhibition evaluation of the biosynthesized DtbP-AgNPs was accomplished by the standard procedure earlier reported by.^28,31 The DtbP-AgNPs was liquefied in methanol and sonicated (using a water bath). 10 µg/mL DtbP-AgNPs sample for the test was moved to a 96-well plate and diluted successively with sodium phosphate buffer (0.02 M, pH 6.9). α- glucosidase at a concentration of 0.5 U/mL was added to 50 µL of the final volume. Next kept for incubation (10 min) at room temperature. Further, P-nitrophenyl-glucopyranoside (50 µL, 3.0 mM) was taken as substrate. At 37 °C, the reaction mixture was kept for incubation for 20 min. Later, the reaction was stopped by addition of 50 µL aliquot of sodium carbonate (0.1 M). Through a plate reader, the value (optical density) of the test solution (reaction mixture) was accessed at 405 nm (wavelength). The test plates contained positive standards (control) such as substrate, buffer, and enzyme. The α-glucosidase inhibition percentage was evaluated as below.

Here “A_sample” is the tested sample absorbance value, and “A_Contol” is the control sample absorbance value.

The DtbP-AgNPs antioxidant activity results were calculated by DPPH, and reducing power (free radical) assays employing the protocol (standard).^8,28 In brief, the DPPH scavenging potential of the DtbP-AgNPs was evaluated in terms of percentage scavenging and effective concentration (IC₅₀). The absorbance was recorded by Multiskan Go; Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA spectrophotometer. BHQ (Tert Butyl-hydroquinone) was used as a standard reference and solvent methanol as the reference blank. The reducing power effect is estimated as the absorbance value of the test reaction solution at 700 nm using the same Multiskan spectrophotometer.

The cytotoxicity effect of DtbP-AgNPs was evaluated against the HepG₂ cancerous cells (Korea Cell Line Bank, Seoul, and the Republic of Korea). The DtbP-AgNPs test sample was diluted at 1000 µg/mL concentrations using Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline, sterilized by filter (syringe filter, 0.22 µm, Millipore, Billerica, Ma, USA). An EZ-Cytox kit (DoGenBio Co., Ltd., Seoul, and the Republic of Korea) was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity effect. The cell viability (live cell %) and morphology exposed to the synthesized DtbP-AgNPs were estimated through the trypan blue exclusion experiment.³² The optical density of DtbP-AgNPs (suspended in DMEM) was scanned in between the wavelength range of 300–700 nm, before the treatment of HepG2 cancer cells. After 24 h exposition, the supernatant was substituted with a 110 µL fresh medium (consist of 10 µL of EZ-Cytox solution) and incubated for about 20 min until the melon red color transformed to yellowish-orange color. The DtbP-AgNPs was aliquoted in a new 96 well plate just after incubation. By using a spectrophotometer, the absorbance was taken at 450 nm wavelength (Spectra Max 384 Plus; Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Also, the cell viability of the HepG2 cells exposed to the produced DtbP-AgNPs was estimated as a result of trypan blue exclusion analysis. Likewise, after 24 h of exposure, the supernatant was discarded and the cells were washed with 100 µL DPBS immediately. Next 20 µL of the fresh complete DMEM and trypan blue mixture (1:1) was added to the well. Then the viability of the cell was observed through an inverted microscope (DMI6000B; Leica, Wetzlar, Germany).

Statistical Analysis

The outcome of the bioactivity is shown as mean ± standard deviation. The one-way analysis of variance was accomplished by (Duncan’s test at a 5% level of significance) by SPSS software version 25.0 software.

Results and Discussion

Green Synthesis of DtbP-AgNPs

The green technique comes under the bottom-up method which comprises oxidation or reduction course catalyzed by catalytic microbial enzymes or plant phytochemicals. The essential phytochemicals comprise are flavones, terpenoids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, etc.^33,34 As a natural source, the waste peel extracts are harmless and have a group of active metabolites that assists in the reduction process of Ag⁺ ions. The dragon tongue beans or pinto beans hold a substantial amount of phytochemicals.¹⁹

Mostly the vegetables are peeled before intake. Various research reports, that vegetable peels are having antidiabetic, cardio-protective, and antioxidant potentials.^35–37 Peels are the main portion of the vegetables and fruits. Generally, these peels are waste products and their disposal is challenging.^37–39 Shell or pod of grain legumes provides protective wrap to the developing seeds.^39,40 Globally common beans are the major grain legumes. In varied common bean cultivar’s polyphenols are the major bioactive compounds. Flavonoids, proanthocyanidin, and phenolic acids are the foremost polyphenols found in maximum bean cultivars.^21,41 Commonly polyphenols in beans are known to have anti-tumor, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-mutagenic activity, etc.^21,41 In the pharmaceutical and food industries phytochemicals can be employed for the development of healthy food and medicines.¹⁴ In this research, the common bean or legume waste peel extract mediated DtbP-AgNPs was synthesized (Figure 1A and B). The AgNPs synthesis was visually observed, and it remained progressive with gradual variation of color from colorless to the dark brown color in DtbP-AgNPs (Figure 1B).⁴²

Figure 1.

(A) Dragon tongue bean peel (DtbP); (B) Gradual change of DtbP extracts color in the progress of synthesis of DtbP-AgNPs (0–24 h); (C) UV-Vis spectral absorbance result of the DtbP-AgNPs.

Characterization of Synthesized DtbP-AgNPs

Phaseolus vulgaris L. broadly known as common beans is one of the main grain legumes worldwide. In varied common bean cultivars, polyphenols are the predominant bioactive components with numerous bio-activities. The successfully synthesized DtbP-AgNPs were characterized through UV-Vis spectral study, SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, zeta potential, and DLS analysis. The biosynthesis of DtbP-AgNPs was established by the UV-Vis spectra analysis result. The DtbP-AgNPs surface plasmon resonance value was detected at 450 nm wavelength (Figure 1C) which is analogous with earlier stated silver NPs synthesis results.^8,43 The synthesized DtbP-AgNPs were stable after 24 h as it shows the same absorption maxima further it was stored for 1 year and the absorption maxima were recorded, which showed no major changes. The result of the current research suggests that phytochemicals existing in the pod or shell of DtbP extract work as capping and reducing eco-friendly agents. The plant parts are natural, harmless, economical, eco-friendly, and possess various bioactive phytochemicals that help in the reduction process of Ag⁺ ions.⁴⁴

To determine the main functional groups existing in DtbP extract, which contribute to the NPs synthesis and stabilization course of the DtbP, the generated DtbP-AgNPs were undergone FTIR analysis. Perhaps the exhibited FTIR study results, the peak values at 3310.09, 2118.56, 1075.98, 681.94 cm−1 for DtbP-extract may shift to cm−1 in the case of DtbP-AgNPs 3321.40, 2135.53,1081.63 and 687.60 respectively (Figure 2A and B). The variation in the absorption spectrum may suggest their contribution to DtbP-AgNPs synthesis. The DtbP-AgNPs, FT-IR results revealed a deviation in absorption peaks employing varied or changed stretching modes amongst the extract and synthesized AgNPs (Figure 2A and B). The detected peaks in the case of DtbP-AgNPs at 3321.40 specifies O–H stretch and H–a bonded bond (belongs to alcohols and phenols functional groups).⁴⁵ Similarly, the absorption peak value at 2135.53 cm−1 (DtbP-AgNPs) indicates the attendance of the C≡N stretch bond which comes under the nitriles functional group. Also, the absorption peak at 1081.63 cm−1 (DtbP-AgNPs) designates the attendance of the C–O stretch bond which comes under the functional groups (alcohols, esters, ethers, and carboxylic acids). Finally, the peak at 687.60 in DtbP-AgNPs specifies the existence of a strong =C–H bend bond which comes under the alkenes functional group.⁴⁵ The alteration in the absorption peak of the DtbP-AgNPs can be ascribed to the coating (capping) and equilibrium (stabilization) of the generated AgNPs.⁴²

Figure 2.

(A) FTIR data of DtbP-extract (B) FTIR data of DtbP-AgNPs.

The morphology and the chemical pattern of the generated DtbP-AgNPs were detected by further SEM and EDX analysis. The DtbP-AgNPs were nearly spherical and in the nanometer range (Figure 3A and B). An analogous result was reported earlier.⁴⁶ The elemental structure (configuration) of the generated AgNPs was identified through the EDX study. The consequence might well credit to the phytochemicals that exist in the used vegetable outer peel in the natural or green synthesis technique which may be supported in the coating (capping) and stabilization process of DtbP-AgNPs.⁴² In the case of DtbP-AgNPs, the Ag was 26.55% (Figure 3B). The DtbP-AgNPs, XRD analysis displayed four distinct peaks in DtbP-AgNPs and confirmed the crystalline nature of the generated DtbP-AgNPs (Figure 4). The diffraction peaks were well noticed in the generated DtbP-AgNPs at 2 theta angles. The diffraction peaks for DtbP-AgNPs at 38.14, 46.13, 64.65, and 76.98° are equal to (111), (200), (220), and (311) correspondingly (Figure 4). These four observed peak values were correspondent to the fcc (face-centered cubic) phase of the Ag0 standard (JCPDS card No. 04–0783).^42,47 A parallel result was reported in earlier studies.⁴² The zeta potential and DLS study of the biosynthesized DtbP-AgNPs was performed to know the surface charge and size distributions (hydrodynamic diameter) of the biosynthesized DtbP-AgNPs (Figure 5). The mean hydrodynamic diameter of DtbP-AgNPs exhibited as 78.02 (d.nm) (Figure 5A) and the zeta potential of DtbP-AgNPs displayed extremely negative (−33.3 mV) (Figure 5B).

Figure 3.

(A) SEM image of DtbP-AgNPs, (B) EDX image of DtbP-AgNPs.

Figure 4.

XRD analysis of DtbP-AgNPs.

Figure 5.

(A) Particle size distribution and (B) zeta potential study data of the DtbP-AgNPs.

Biological Activities of the Biosynthesized DtbP-AgNPs

Cytotoxicity (Anticancer) Activity of the Generated DtbP-AgNPs

The NPs configuration makes them an outstanding method for tracking the wild cell growth initiated as a result of cancer.⁴⁸ Nano drugs are exceptionally vigorous in the identification and management of cancer disease and concomitant syndromes.⁴⁹ The cytotoxicity effect of DtbP-AgNPs was evaluated with different concentrations (1, 10, and 100 µg/mL) against HepG₂ cancer cell lines and the results specified that the cell viability % of cancer cells (HepG₂) decreased with an increase of DtbP-AgNPs concentrations (Figure 6A and B). It was detected through an inverted microscope and was observed that the control was visualized with the maximum number of live cells whereas in DtbP-AgNPs (treatment) the live cell percentage was gradually reduced with an increase in treatment (AgNPs) concentration. The generated DtbP-AgNPs displayed significant cytotoxicity (anticancer) potential with a low IC₅₀ value of 37.02 µg/mL (Table 1, Figure 6).

Figure 6.

(A) Cytotoxicity effect: Result image of Control, DtbP-AgNPs (Dead cell %), against HepG2 cancer cells. (B) Cytotoxicity (Cell viability %) result of DtbP-AgNPs. Columns with different letters (a,b,c) are statistically significant at P < 0.05.

Table 1.

IC₅₀ Values for Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Cytotoxic Assays of DtbP-AgNPs

	Parameters	IC50 Value DtbP-AgNPs (µg/mL)
Antioxidant test	DPPH	4.37
	ABTS	23.59
	NOX	23.05
	Reducing (IC0.5 value)	88.37
Antidiabetic test	α-glucosidase	1.98
Cytotoxicity test		37.02

The probable cytotoxicity effect might be credited to the generated Ag nanoparticles which could have activated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cellular component resulting in the death of cancer cells.⁵⁰ It has been assumed that the silver nanoparticles interact with the mitochondria and interferes with the function of transfer of cellular electron chain resulting in a rise in the level of ROS.⁵¹ Thus the oxidative stress produced by ROS might be considered as the foremost mechanism of toxicity against the cancer cell lines. It is anticipated that greater the cytotoxicity effect of the silver nanoparticle against cancer cell lines owing to the highest uptake of nanoparticles by the cell lines, as the cancer cell lines have an unusual metabolism and high percentage of proliferation, which in turn makes the cancer cell line more susceptible.⁵² In earlier research, analogous results are stated by.^49,53 Besides, our previous research on the green pea peels extract mediated silver nanoparticle synthesis and its biological potential also displayed similar cytotoxicity potential.⁸

Antidiabetic (α-Glucosidase Inhibition) Activity of Generated DtbP-AgNPs

For the reduction of hyperglycemia, the carbohydrate digesting enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) requires to be inhibited therapeutically, thus constraining the breakdown of carbohydrates into monosaccharides, which are the key donors to elevated blood sugar levels.⁵⁴ Hence developing compounds with an inhibitory action towards carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes may well beneficial to control diabetes. In this research, the DtbP-AgNPs displayed significant antidiabetic action dose-dependently. The IC₅₀ value of the DtbP-AgNPs was evaluated and presented in Table 1.

The DtbP-AgNPs exhibited promising antidiabetic potential (Figure 7) with a low IC₅₀ value of 1.98 µg/mL (Table 1). The considerable antidiabetic effect of the DtbP-AgNPs (Figure 7) presented in this study is a sign of their efficiency in the control of diabetes. It is assumed that the AgNPs could have inhibited the specific enzymes (in this case α-glucosidase) by binding to the other part of the enzyme, not to its active part and enzyme-substrate complex.⁵⁵ Earlier it was also reported that the AgNPs could have reduced the enzyme levels, which are in charge of catalyzing the hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates, and improved the rate of usage of glucose which might be the reason for the antidiabetic effect of the generated AgNPs.^56–58 In earlier research analogous results have been detailed for silver nanoparticles in terms of the α-glucosidase activity.⁵⁹ Further our previous research also displayed the significant antidiabetic activity of the green pea peel mediated Ag nanoparticles.⁸

Figure 7.

Antidiabetic (α-glucosidase) effect of DtbP-AgNPs. Columns with different letters (a,b,c) are statistically significant at P < 0.05.

Antioxidant (Free Radical Scavenging) Action of Generated DtbP-AgNPs

The free radical scavenging (antioxidant) effect of the DtbP-AgNPs was estimated through DPPH, reducing power (Figure 8), ABTS, and NOx antioxidant (Table 1) assays at 25–100 µg/mL. The DtbP-AgNPs displayed moderate antioxidant activity (Table 1). The reducing power IC₅₀ value of DtbP-AgNPs was 88.37 µg/mL (Table 1). While for the ABTS scavenging assessment, the IC₅₀ value of DtbP-AgNPs was 23.59 µg/mL. For the NOx scavenging assay, the IC₅₀ value of DtbP-AgNPs was 23.05 µg/mL. The IC₅₀ value of DtbP-AgNPs was 4.37 µg/mL for the DPPH scavenging (Figure 8) assay (Table 1). Numerous research has shown that the antioxidant activity of AgNPs is generated from plant extracts.⁶⁰ It was also reported that the antioxidant effect of AgNPs is due to the capping ability of the biomolecules existing in bio-extracts to the NPs during the biosynthesis process.⁶¹ In this study, the resultant antioxidant activity may be due to the abundant active functional groups present in the DtbP extract which might have played an important role in the coating and stabilization of DtbP-AgNPs.⁶² Antioxidants are vital molecules required to neutralize the generation of excessive free radicals in an aerobic organism and subsequently protect the body against prompted oxidative stress-related ailments.^55,63 The antioxidant potential of the synthesized AgNPs has been stated to have a relative advantage over the traditional antioxidant delivery system in terms of the targeted and controlled delivery, elevated bioavailability, and condensed protection of antioxidant agents.^55,64

Figure 8.

Antioxidant (A) (DPPH assay) and (B) (Reducing power assay) effect of DtbP-AgNPs. Columns with different letters (a,b,c,d,e,f) are statistically significant at P < 0.05.

Conclusions

The legume Dtb outer waste peel extract was well utilized and was effective in the green synthesis of DtbP-AgNPs. The biological activities of the generated AgNPs were estimated. The DtbP-AgNPs demonstrated a noteworthy cytotoxicity and antidiabetic effects with a reasonable antioxidant activity, which possibly may be owing to the existence of the bioactive functional group of compounds in the DtbP extract. The study result proposes that the generated DtbP-AgNPs could be a favorable candidate in the pharmaceutical industries for the cure of potential health-related ailments.

Funding Statement

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. 2020R1G1A1004667), the Republic of Korea.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting or revising the article, have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest exists with this manuscript.