Phyto-mechanochemical silver nanoparticles: a convergent strategy for drug delivery, fertility analysis, and bioactivity

Abstract

Phyto-mechanochemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) offers a clean, biocompatible, and efficient approach, making it highly relevant for sustainable nanotechnology and biomedical applications. Here, we mechanochemically synthesize silver nanoparticles (PgP@AgNPs) using Polygonum polycnemoides (PgP) for drug delivery analysis and broad-spectrum biological activities. PgP@AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis. The NPs exhibited a surface plasmon resonance peak at 410 nm, characterized by face-centered cubic crystals with a crystal size of 12.07 nm, an average grain size of 19.87 nm, and a zeta potential of −37.19 mV. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of active phytoconstituents, including alkaloids, saponins, and tannins. The in vitro drug release from the PgP@AgNP matrix followed the Peppas–Sahlin model, which involves polymer relaxation and diffusion processes. The PgP@AgNPs demonstrated significant potential for antispermatic (p < 0.0001), antibacterial against E. coli and S. aureus, antifungal against C. aureus, anticancer against the MCF-7 cell line (IC₅₀ = 13.41 μM mL⁻¹), and antiurease (IC₅₀ = 0.46 ± 0.03 μM mL⁻¹) activities. These findings indicate that PgP@AgNPs are a multifunctional, biocompatible, and eco-friendly agent with significant efficacy for next-generation nanotherapeutics, addressing critical biomedical challenges.