Approach Towards Sustainable Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Electrolysis Method Using Asian Pennywort Extract and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Biogenic metal nanoparticles continue gaining popularity due to their low production costs, biocompatibility, and several environmental and biological benefits. In this work, Asian pennywort extract (APE) will be electrolysed to produce biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) sustainably. This study also aims to improve APE’s in vitro anti-inflammatory properties. The extract solution acts as an electrolyte in the system, facilitating the formation of AgNPs via electrochemical synthesis, as shown by the appearance of a peak at 430 nm. In accordance with the FTIR spectra, the phytochemical screening findings of the extract showed a preponderance of phenols, flavonoids, and triterpenes. It suggests that the biomolecules in the extract serve as both stabilising and reducing agents, playing a role in the synthesis process. TEM micrographs demonstrate that AgNPs have a uniform spherical shape and are surrounded by a thin biomolecular layer with diameters of 32.62 ± 10.53 nm. The light scattering pattern of colloidal AgNPs also exhibits a particle size distribution of 32.50 ± 5.68 nm. The approach generates polycrystalline nanoparticles ranging in size from 17.55 to 32.26 nm. AgNPs outperformed APE in terms of anti-inflammatory action, with IC50 values of 523.40 ± 7.85 and 960.29 ± 16.81 µg/mL, as determined by the BSA protein denaturation procedure. The electrosynthesis approach using APE biomolecules suggests a novel strategy for producing AgNPs with superior anti-inflammatory capabilities, leading to promising future applications for large-scale production in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. HIGHLIGHTS The facile, inexpensive, fast, sustainable, and environmentally friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Asian pennywort extract as an electrolyte, bioreductor, and stabilising agent in electrosynthesis. The produced AgNPs are polycrystals with a spherical shape of approximately 32.62 nm with high purity. The produced AgNPs have strong anti-inflammatory activity. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT