PEGylation of silver nanoparticles via Berginia Ciliata aqueous extract for biological applications

Herein, we have used a non-hazardous and environment-friendly green approach for the PEGylation of silver nanoparticles (PEGylated AgNPs) using an aqueous extract of Berginia Ciliata. The PEGylated AgNPs are also compared with non-PEGylated pristine silver nanoparticles (p-AgNPs) for physicochemical, morphological, and biological properties using multiple characterization techniques and biological assays. The detailed characterization investigation not only confirms the successful capping of PEG but also reveals that PEG highly influences the morphology, yield, and dispersibility of the AgNPs. Such physicochemically altered properties may have also resulted in different biological properties as the PEGylated AgNPs result in higher antioxidant and antileishmanial properties as compared to pristine AgNPs. However, comparatively lower antibacterial and enzyme inhibition potentials are observed for PEGylated AgNPs. Furthermore, in vitro blood compatibility studies reveal the bio-safe nature of both the PEGylated and pristine AgNPs at the tested concentrations. Our study thus concludes that the green synthesis approach could be successfully utilized for PEGylation of metallic NPs of pharmacological importance.