Green synthesis of Curcuma longa-mediated Palladium nanoparticles as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer agents

Abstract

The biosynthesis of nanomaterials using plants has become a promising substitute for conventional chemical and physical methods. This study aims to produce Palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) utilizing Turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract and assess their pharmacological application as antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and anticancer agents. PdNPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. PdNPs showed antioxidant activity using the DPPH assay at all tested concentrations. The percentage of scavenging effect for 130 µg/mL PdNPs was 33 %. PdNPs at the same concentration showed noticeable antifungal and antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion method against candida species and Escherichia coli within an inhibition range of 17 mm and 20 mm, respectively. Also, PdNPs exhibited significant cytotoxic activity at all tested concentrations using an MTT assay against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. MCF-7 cell viability declined to 26.53 % in the treated cells at 130 µg/mL. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate the simplicity and efficiency of synthesizing PdNPs using Curcuma longa extract in an eco-friendly manner and their significant antifungal, antibacterial, and anticancer potential.

Keywords

• Palladium nanoparticles
• Curcuma longa
• Green synthesis
• Antioxidant
• Anticancer
• Antimicrobial