Ficus benghalensis extract mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, its optimization, characterization, computational studies, and its in vitro and in vivo biological potential

Din IU, Ajaj R, Rauf A, Ahmad Z, Muhammad N, Ali S, Hemeg HA, ULLAH I (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

PLoS ONE Public Library of Science

Book Volume: 20

Article Number: e0326858

Journal Issue: 7 July

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326858

Abstract

In this work, Silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via green synthesis using Ficus benghalensis root extract (FBRE), serving as a capping and stabilizing agent. The synthesized Ag NPs were characterized via complementary characterization techniques, including SEM, XRD, EDS, UV-Vis, and FT-IR. SEM analysis revealed the fabrication of spherical NPs with an average size of 41.55 nm. A plasmon resonance peak was observed at 430 nm. FBRE effectively capped and stabilized the Ag NPs, ensuring their structural integrity over time, and is confirmed via FT-IR scan. DFT calculation revealed a thermodynamically and mechanically stable system. Moreover, optoelectronic properties confirmed the metallic behavior of Ag with a major contribution from 4d orbital near the fermi level and 5s orbital contribution to the conduction band with light absorption in the visible spectrum. Biological evaluations demonstrated significant enzyme inhibition. Ag NPs inhibited urease (80.76%), α-glucosidase (80.98%), carbonic anhydrase II (89.32%), and xanthine oxidase (49.9%), outperforming FBRE. In Vivo, Ag NPs exhibited dose-dependent analgesic (83.09% writhing inhibition at 10 mg/kg, similar to diclofenac) and sedative (16.09% locomotor reduction at 10 mg/kg) effects. Molecular docking confirmed strong enzyme-ligand interactions. These findings highlight the biomedical potential of FBRE-synthesized Ag NPs, particularly for enzyme inhibition and pharmacological applications.

Authors with CRIS profile

IMRAN ULLAH Lehrstuhl für Kristallographie und Strukturphysik (ICSP)

Involved external institutions

University of Peshawar PK Pakistan (PK) Abu Dhabi University (ADU) / جامعة ابوظبي AE United Arab Emirates (AE) University of Swabi / یونیورسٹی آف صوابی PK Pakistan (PK) Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan PK Pakistan (PK) Taibah University / جامعة طيبة SA Saudi Arabia (SA)

How to cite

APA:

Din, I.U., Ajaj, R., Rauf, A., Ahmad, Z., Muhammad, N., Ali, S.,... ULLAH, I. (2025). Ficus benghalensis extract mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, its optimization, characterization, computational studies, and its in vitro and in vivo biological potential. PLoS ONE, 20(7 July). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0326858

MLA:

Din, Inam Ud, et al. "Ficus benghalensis extract mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, its optimization, characterization, computational studies, and its in vitro and in vivo biological potential." PLoS ONE 20.7 July (2025).

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