Mangifera indica leaf extract assisted biogenic silver nanoparticles potentiates photocatalytic activity and cytotoxicity

The present study portrays, a low-cost, environmentally benign, and green route synthesis of Mangifera indica leaf extract mediated silver nanoparticles (MI:AgNPs). MI:AgNPs were characterized using analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Visible spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The structural characterization revealed that MI:AgNPs exhibited face centered cubic crystallinity with space group Fm3 m without any traces of impurities and secondary phases. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of phytochemicals (such as alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, etc.) present in leaf extract, which serves as reducing, stabilizing and capping agent. UV–Vis spectra showed a sharp absorption peak in the UV region belonging to leaf extract and a hump in the visible region ( 404 nm) attributed to the formation of AgNPs. TEM micrograph showed pseudo-spherical particles with average diameter of 18.2 ± 0.12 nm. MI:AgNPs showed enhanced photocatalytic activity against Methylene Blue (MB) dye under UV radiation. Cytotoxic activity was carried out on cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) at different concentrations of MI:AgNPs, which displayed potent anti-cancerous potential and illustrated the efficacy of MI:AgNPs with a low IC 50 value 83.85 ± 9.63 µg/mL. The low-cost synthesis and effective cytotoxic potential of MI:AgNPs can make them an attractive choice for biomedical application.