GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING CHIA (SALVIA HISPANICA L.) SEED MUCILAGE AND THEIR ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIDIABETIC, AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES

Abstract

This study investigates the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed mucilage and evaluates their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. The synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, which showed a characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 426 nm, indicating successful NPs formation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed spherical, well-distributed NPs with a mean size of 82.02 ± 2.7 nm, confirming the controlled size and morphology of the synthesized AgNPs. The antioxidant potential was assessed through DPPH and FRAP assays, where SH@AgNPs demonstrated significant radical scavenging and ferric ion-reducing activities, comparable to ascorbic acid. The antidiabetic activity was measured using an α-amylase inhibition assay, with SH@AgNPs achieving up to 45.71% inhibition at 30 µg/mL. Additionally, enzyme kinetics analysis showed a dose-dependent increase in α-amylase inhibition. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using an egg albumin denaturation model, where SH@AgNPs exhibited up to 78.56% inhibition, approaching the 83.18% inhibition observed with Diclofenac sodium. These findings highlight the promising biological activities of SH@AgNPs, supporting their potential as multifunctional therapeutic agents for antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory applications. The green synthesis method not only offers a sustainable and cost-effective approach but also results in biocompatible NPs suitable for further biomedical investigations.