Novel Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles from Scolopia crenata Stem Bark Extract: Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory, Wound Healing, and Anticancer Activities

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gained significant attention in biomedical applications due to their unique properties. This study explores an eco-friendly synthesis method for AuNPs using the stem bark extract of Scolopia crenata, an endemic medicinal plant from India, and investigates their pharmacological potential. AuNPs were synthesized using S. crenata stem bark extract and characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, zeta potential, and particle size analyses. The nanoparticles were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity through protein denaturation assays, wound healing potential via scratch assays on fibroblast cells, and anticancer efficacy against MDA-MB-231 and A549 cell lines using MTT assays. The synthesized AuNPs exhibited stability, crystalline structure, and an average size range of 71.9-100 nm. In vitro studies demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of inflammatory mediators, enhanced wound healing activity by promoting cell migration and proliferation, and notable cytotoxic effects against human cancer cell lines. This study presents a novel, eco-friendly approach for synthesizing AuNPs using S. crenata stem bark extract. The resulting nanoparticles showed promising anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and anticancer properties, highlighting their potential for therapeutic applications and emphasizing the role of endemic medicinal plants in advancing nanotechnology and biomedical science.