Green Fabrication of Illicium Verum Silver Nanoparticles: Physicochemical Properties and Targeted in Vitro Anticancer Activity

Abstract

Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using medicinal plant extracts offers an eco-friendly route to multifunctional nanomaterials. In this study, aqueous leaf extract of Illicium verum was employed as a reducing and capping agent for the one-pot biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (IVE-AgNPs). Formation of IVE-AgNPs was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in UV–Vis spectroscopy, and their physicochemical properties were characterized by FTIR, XRD and zeta potential analyses. FTIR spectra revealed the involvement of phenolic, carbonyl, and hydroxyl functional groups in reduction and stabilization, while XRD confirmed the face-centered cubic crystalline nature of metallic silver. Microscopic analyses showed predominantly spherical nanoparticles with narrow size distribution and good colloidal stability, as indicated by hydrodynamic diameter and negative zeta potential. Anticancer potential was assessed using MTT assay against human cancer cell lines, revealing concentration-dependent cytotoxicity with significant reduction in cell viability and low IC₅₀ values, alongside comparatively lower toxicity toward normal cells. These findings indicate that Illicium verum leaf extract can serve as an effective bioresource for the sustainable fabrication of silver nanoparticles with promising antimicrobial and anticancer activities, supporting their further exploration as candidate nanotherapeutics.