Biogenic synthesis of AgNPs via polyherbal formulation: Mechanistic neutralization and toxicological impact on acetylcholinesterase from Bungarus sindanus venom

Noshaba Afshin; Nadia Mushtaq; Mushtaq Ahmed; Naila Sher; Sadeq K Alhag; Fatma Mohamed Ameen Khalil; Laila A Al-Shuraym; Hajra Hameed; Farhad Badshah; Riaz Hussain

doi:10.1002/jemt.24701

Biogenic synthesis of AgNPs via polyherbal formulation: Mechanistic neutralization and toxicological impact on acetylcholinesterase from Bungarus sindanus venom

Microsc Res Tech. 2024 Oct 4. doi: 10.1002/jemt.24701. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Botany, University of Science and Technology Bannu-KPK, Pakistan.
² Department of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology Bannu-KPK, Pakistan.
³ Biology Department, College of Science and Arts, King Khalid University, Muhayl Asser, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
⁶ State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China.
⁷ Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics of MARA, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China.

PMID: 39367638
DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24701

Abstract

This study aims to examine the biogenic production, characterization, and anti-acetylcholinesterase (AAChE) properties of polyherbal formulation PHF-extract-synthesized silver nanoparticles (PHF-AgNPs). The Elapidae snake Bungarus sindanus has extremely dangerous venom for humans and contains a high amount of AChE (acetylcholinesterase). Inhibiting AChE leads to acetylcholine buildup, affecting neurotransmission. The study tested silver nanoparticles as AChE inhibitors using kinetics. Their production was confirmed through ultraviolet (UV) spectrometry at 425 nm (SPR peak of 1.94), and stabilizing functional groups were identified via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The average length of 20 nm was confirmed by analyzing the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) identified silver as the primary component of PHF-AgNPs (26%). Statistical analysis showed that the activity of AChE in krait venom decreased by up to 45% and 37% at a given dose of ACh (0.5 mM) by PHF and AgNPs, respectively. Utilizing the Lineweaver-Burk plot for kinetic analysis, a competitive type of inhibition is found. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Successfully synthesized PHF-extract-induced silver nanoparticles (PHF-AgNPs) demonstrated through UV spectrometry and characterized as crystalline with an average size of 45 nm by X-ray diffraction. PHF-AgNPs effectively inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme critical in neurotransmission, reducing its activity in krait venom by up to 45% at certain concentrations. Kinetic analysis revealed that the inhibition mechanism of AChE by PHF-AgNPs is competitive, offering potential for therapeutic applications in neurologically related conditions.

Keywords: AgNPs; Alzheimer; acetylcholinesterase; polyherbal formulation; scanning electron microscopy.