Assessment of Scolicidal Activity of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Saffron Aqueous Extract

The biosynthesis of nanoparticles using plants is a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical and physical methods. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using saffron extract, and their scolicidal effects were investigated. The formation of the nanoparticles along with their structural and morphological features, and the identification of the secondary compounds involved in the formation of the nanoparticles were investigated by color change, UV-Vis, XRD, SEM, and FTIR, respectively. To evaluate the scolicidal activities, AgNPs at concentrations of ۰.۲, ۰.۴ and ۰.۸ mg/mL were incubated with Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices for ۱۲۰ min at ۳۷ °C. The results of the nanoparticle synthesis showed that the color change of the solution from yellow to brown and the presence of an absorption peak at approximately ۴۱۲ nm indicated the AgNPs synthesis. SEM and XRD analyses showed the size of AgNPs in the range of ۲۰-۳۰ nm with FCC crystal structure. FTIR results indicated that proteins, polyphenols, and flavonoid compounds may be responsible for the efficient reduction and stabilization. Additionally, the scolicidal effect of AgNPs showed that with increasing concentration, the percentage of dead protoscolices increased significantly. Increasing the concentration of AgNPs from ۰.۲ to ۰.۴ mg/mL resulted in a ۷۰% increase in protoscolices death. At a concentration of ۰.۸ mg/mL, ۱۰۰% protoscolices death was observed. These results indicated that AgNPs synthesized with saffron extract can be a suitable alternative to scolicidal agents.

کلیدواژه ها:

Echinococcus granulosus ، Saffron plants ، Silver nanoparticles