Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Buchu Plant Extracts and Their Analgesic Properties

Herbert Chiguvare; Opeoluwa O Oyedeji; Reuben Matewu; Olukayode Aremu; Idris A Oyemitan; Adebola O Oyedeji; Benedicta N Nkeh-Chungag; Sandile P Songca; Sneha Mohan; Oluwatobi S Oluwafemi

doi:10.3390/molecules21060774

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Buchu Plant Extracts and Their Analgesic Properties

Molecules. 2016 Jun 14;21(6):774. doi: 10.3390/molecules21060774.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa. cherbert.jr@gmail.com.
² Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa. OOyedeji@ufh.ac.za.
³ 1124 Buchanan Street, Ginsburg, King William's Town 5601, Eastern Cape, South Africa. reubenmatewu@gmail.com.
⁴ Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive Campus, Mthatha 5117, South Africa. snehakoottungal@yahoo.co.in.
⁵ Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive Campus, P. Bag X1, Mthatha 5117, South Africa. oyemix@yahoo.com.
⁶ Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive Campus, P. Bag X1, Mthatha 5117, South Africa. aoyedeji@wsu.ac.za.
⁷ Department of Biological and Environmental Science Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Science, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive Campus, P. BagX1, Mthatha 5117, South Africa. bnkehchungag@wsu.ac.za.
⁸ Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive Campus, P. Bag X1, Mthatha 5117, South Africa. spsongca@wsu.ac.za.
⁹ Centre for Nanomaterials Science Research, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Doornfontein 2028, South Africa. snehamkoottungal@gmail.com.
¹⁰ Centre for Nanomaterials Science Research, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Doornfontein 2028, South Africa. Oluwafemi.oluwatobi@gmail.com.
¹¹ Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein 2028, Gauteng, South Africa. Oluwafemi.oluwatobi@gmail.com.

Abstract

We herein report for the first time the synthesis and analgesic properties of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using buchu plant extract. The as-synthesised Ag-NPs at different temperatures were characterised by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission transform microscopy (TEM) to confirm the formation of silver nanoparticles. Phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of glycosides, proteins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins. The absorption spectra showed that the synthesis is temperature and time dependent. The TEM analysis showed that the as-synthesised Ag-NPs are polydispersed and spherical in shape with average particle diameter of 19.95 ± 7.76 nm while the FTIR results confirmed the reduction and capping of the as-synthesised Ag-NPs by the phytochemicals present in the ethanolic extract. The analgesic study indicated that the combined effect of the plant extract and Ag-NPs is more effective in pain management than both the aspirin drug and the extract alone.

Keywords: analgesic activity; buchu; phytochemicals; silver nanoparticles.

MeSH terms

Alkaloids / chemistry
Analgesics / administration & dosage
Analgesics / chemistry*
Animals
Flavonoids / chemistry
Glycosides / chemistry
Metal Nanoparticles / administration & dosage
Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
Mice
Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
Plant Extracts / chemistry
Proteins / chemistry
Rutaceae / chemistry
Saponins / chemistry
Silver / chemistry
Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
Tannins / chemistry

Substances

Alkaloids
Analgesics
Flavonoids
Glycosides
Plant Extracts
Proteins
Saponins
Tannins
Silver