%0 Journal Article
%T Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Cannonball Leaves and Their Cytotoxic Activity against MCF-7 Cell Line
%A Preetha Devaraj
%A Prachi Kumari
%A Chirom Aarti
%A Arun Renganathan
%J Journal of Nanotechnology
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/598328
%X Cannonball (Couroupita guianensis) is a tree belonging to the family Lecythidaceae. Various parts of the tree have been reported to contain oils, keto steroids, glycosides, couroupitine, indirubin, isatin, and phenolic substances. We report here the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using cannonball leaves. Green synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, and FTIR. Cannonball leaf broth as a reducing agent converts silver ions to AgNPs in a rapid and ecofriendly manner. The UV-Vis spectra gave surface plasmon resonance peak at 434£¿nm. TEM image shows well-dispersed silver nanoparticles with an average particle size of 28.4£¿nm. FTIR showed the structure and respective bands of the synthesized nanoparticles and the stretch of bonds. Green synthesized silver nanoparticles by cannonball leaf extract show cytotoxicity to human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Overall, this environmentally friendly method of biological silver nanoparticles production provides rates of synthesis faster than or comparable to those of chemical methods and can potentially be used in various human contacting areas such as cosmetics, foods, and medical applications. 1. Introduction Couroupita guianensis, whose common names include ayahuma and the cannonball tree, is an evergreen tree allied to the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) and is native to tropical northern South America and to the southern Caribbean. As per textual record, the tree has been growing for the past three thousand years in India. The cannonball tree possesses many medicinal properties such as antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic, and analgesic qualities. Extracts of this tree were used to cure colds and stomach aches. Juice made from the leaves is used to cure skin diseases and malaria. The inside of the fruit can disinfect wounds and young leaves ease toothache. The fruit emits an unpleasant odour and can be used as an insect repellent just by rubbing it to the skin or clothes [1, 2]. Overall the tree possesses skin fibroblast proliferation, antioxidant [3, 4], antihelmintic [5], wound healing, antimicrobial, and antinociceptive [1] activities. Nanotechnology is significant on account of its pre-eminence upon the comprehension, use, and control of matter at magnitudes of a minute scale, akin to approaching atomic levels, with which to manufacture new substances, instruments, and frameworks [6]. The synthesis of nanocrystals is in the limelight in modern nanotechnology. Biosynthesis of nanoparticles by plant extracts is currently under exploitation [7].
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnt/2013/598328/