Abstract

Taking in consideration potential applications in alternative medicine silver nanoparticles are being synthesized by various methods based on physical, chemical and biological techniques. Biological techniques are comparatively cheaper and environmentally friendly, these techniques employ the use of microbial cells and organic compounds such as lipids, proteins, plant materials, plant extracts, etc. In the present study we preferred an organic method using aqueous extract of Psoralia corylifolia leaves, as these leaves are used in Ayurveda for treatment of dental caries. These organically synthesized SNPs were characterized by UV-Visible absorption spectra, FTIR, XRD and TEM techniques. Average size of SNPs was found to be about 26 nm. Antimicrobial activity of confirmed SNPs was checked against some oral pathogens viz MIC was determined by microtiter broth dilution method. Biocompatibility of SNPs was checked by MTT [3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Results of our study showed that Psoralia corylifolia aqueous leaf extract is a good reducing agent for synthesis of SNPs from Silver nitrate, and these SNPs have significant antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens under study as well as they are highly biocompatible.