Characterization, cytotoxic and antioxidant potential of silver nanoparticles biosynthesised using endophytic fungus (Penicillium citrinum CGJ-C1)

Abstract

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from endophytic fungi is a less explored field and the present investigation is aimed at the synthesis of bioactive silver nanoparticles using endophytic fungi, Penicillium citrinum CGJ-C1 isolated from ethno-medicinal plant Tragia involucrata Lin., The AgNPs were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) methods. Spectral studies showed that biogenic AgNPs were spherical shaped and well- dispersed nanostructures with an average particle size of 2–5 nm. AgNPs showed cytotoxic activity against three cancer cell lines namely MCF-7, A431, and HePG2 while was nontoxic to the noncancerous cell line (HEK-293). The cytotoxic activity of these particles was found to be dose dependent. The DNA fragmentation study showed the highest DNA damage in cancer cells (MCF-7) than the non-cancerous cell line (HEK-293). The AgNPs also showed potential larvicidal activity. Hence, this study for the first time demonstrates the possibility of exploiting mycoAgNPs in the control of cancer as well as the mosquito-borne diseases.