Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Salvia officinalis extract: Structural characterization, cytotoxicity, antileishmanial and antimicrobial activity

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity, antileishmanial and antibacterial potential of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by (Salvia officinalis L. (Sage)) extract. Methods: The green synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed by using UV–vis spectroscopy, FTIR, and FESEM techniques. Cytotoxicity antileishmanial assay was evaluated by MTT. Results: The UV–vis spectroscopy study at the band of 430 nm confirmed the formation of nanoparticles. FT-IR confirmed the presence of the ingredients in salvia leaf extract which is responsible for capping and reduction of the silver nanoparticles. FESEM report showed that the AgNPs synthesized were in the size range 30–70 nm. The AgNPs exhibited good cytotoxic activity against Hek- 293, the breast cancer cell line (MCF 7) and a human glioblastoma cell line (A 172) with an IC50 value of 240, 50.40 and 58.60 µg/mL, respectively. The present study confirmed good antileishmanial activity against the promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania major in a dose-dependent manner. IC50 values of AgNPs were 62.91 and 73.89 μg/mL using promastigote and amastigotes assay respectively. AgNPs showed potent antibacterial activity against three bacteria species S. aureus, B. subtilis, and MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) at high concentrations. According to disk diffusion results, AgNPs at concentration 1000 µg/mL showed a significant inhibitory zone against S. aureus and B. subtilis. The AgNPs at a concentration higher than 750 µg/mL showed the valuable inhibitory zone against MRSA. Conclusion: this study confirmed good cytotoxicity, and antileishmanial activity in the nanoparticles synthesized using S. officinal extract, so it can be further investigated for biomedical applications.