Exploration of Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Potential and Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Holoptelea integrifolia

Abstract

Abstract

Holoptelea integrifolia (Indian elm) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Ayurveda for managing inflammatory conditions, wounds, and pain. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the bark extract of H. integrifolia and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were compared with those of chemically synthesized AgNPs. The methanolic extract contained various phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, phytosterols, tannins, and saponins, which acted as reducing and capping agents during nanoparticle synthesis. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by a color transition to brown and a characteristic UV–Visible absorption peak at 440 nm. TEM imaging showed predominantly spherical nanoparticles with sizes between 2 and 200 nm. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of rutin as a major compound in the extract. In the DPPH assay, the bark extract and green-synthesized AgNPs showed IC₅₀ values of 63.89 µg/mL and 70.45 µg/mL, respectively, whereas chemically synthesized AgNPs displayed 95.68 µg/mL, indicating better antioxidant potential in plant-mediated AgNPs. Anti-inflammatory evaluation revealed IC₅₀ values of 188.74 µg/mL for chemically synthesized AgNPs, 994.69 µg/mL for biosynthesized AgNPs, and 2655.87 µg/mL for the crude extract. These findings suggest that H. integrifolia bark extract is an effective eco-friendly source for AgNP synthesis, and the incorporation of nanoparticles can enhance the biological potential of plant-derived compounds.