Objective: Silver nanoparticles synthesized using Rhodomyrtus tomentosa leaf extract and silk sericin were used to functionalize carbopol 940 gel for topical applications.
Results: UV-vis spectra presented surface plasmon resonance at 426 nm, transmission electron microscopy revealed that nanoparticles were spherical with an average size of 25-50 nm. X-ray diffraction presented crystalline silver nanoparticles with zeta potential of ≈ - 30 mV. FTIR spectra showed a reduction of silver nitrate indicated by the shift in -OH at 2958 cm-1. The silver nanoparticle demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative and fungi with MIC ranging between 0.26 and 2.10 μg mL-1, respectively. MIC of hydrogel ranged between 1.05-2.10 μg mL-1 with cell viability of 89%. Spreadability and extrudability of gel were 9.3 ± 0.85 s and 19.85 ± 0.03%, respectively with first order of fickian diffusion.
Conclusions: The silver nanoparticle gel exhibited an effective antimicrobial property, hence can be exploited for topical applications.
Keywords: Antimicrobial; Cytotoxicity; Hydrogel; Rhodomyrtus tomentosa; Silk sericin; Silver nanoparticles.