Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Anemone Coronaria Bulb Extract and Their Potent Anticancer and Antibacterial Activities

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as promising multifunctional agents in biomedical applications due to their notable antimicrobial and anticancer properties. In this study, we present a green, sustainable, and cost-effective method for synthesizing AgNPs using the bulb extract of Anemone coronaria, an underutilized plant part that allows year-round resource-efficient production. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The nanoparticles exhibited a characteristic UV-Vis absorption peak at 425 nm, spherical morphology with an average size of 29 nm, and a face-centered cubic crystalline structure. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of phytochemicals involved in the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs. The biosynthesized AgNPs showed potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and demonstrated significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and gene expression analyses further validated their anticancer efficacy. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential and biocompatibility of Anemone coronaria-derived AgNPs, offering a green nanotechnological approach for future biomedical applications.