DefinePK

Abstract

Nanotechnology is regarded as the most significant scientific contribution of the 21st century thus far, focusing on the physics and chemistry of materials manipulated at the nanometre scale (1–100 nm) to exhibit distinct physical, chemical, and biological properties1. Nanoparticles have a large surface-volume ratio; therefore, they have good reactivity and stability and are able to interact with biological systems. These features have facilitated their wide application in medicine, agriculture, food technology and environmental science2. Of all metallic nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted significant attention due to their potent antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Silver, a transition metal with high electrical and thermal conductivity, has been used since ancient times in the elimination of disease and preservation3. At nanosize, silver is more biologically active by virtue of the greater surface area and quantum effects. AgNPs are currently extensively investigated for antimicrobial applications like fighting against microbial infections, creating next-generation wound dressings, coating medical devices, and formulating pharmaceuticals and cosmetics4. They have anti-bacterial and antifungal activity because of their capacity to perturb microbial cell membranes, produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), and disturb metabolic pathways, respectively5,6. Traditional chemical or physical methods may involve toxic reagents, high energy input, and complex instruments for nanoparticle preparation. These damages greatly threaten both environment and biological safety issues7. On the other hand, green synthesis or biosynthesis provides an environmentally friendly option by using plant extracts, bacteria, fungi, and algae as reducing and stabilizing agents8. Phytochemicals, namely phenols, proteins, flavonoids, and terpenoids present in the plant extracts, can efficiently reduce metal ions into nanoparticles and also stabilise them9. This process is environmentally benign, cost-effective and applicable for biomedical purposes. Medicinal plants are good sources of bioactive molecules and play a valuable role in biosynthesis due to their inherent antioxidant and reducing properties. The genus Vicia (Fabaceae) comprising more than 200 species is distributed throughout the world10-12. Many species hold economic value due to their protein-rich seeds, which serve as both fodder and "green manure" to enhance soil quality. Narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.) is a drought-resistant annual leguminous plant that is well-adapted to grow in agroclimatic conditions ranging across diversified environments13,14. Severe deforestation has been reported in the Bhogadvati areas of Assam, since the ethanomedicinal and economic uses of this plant may have led to indiscriminate felling. The seeds and extracts of Vicia narbonensis are rich sources of phenolic compounds and proteinaceous substances, making them potentially efficient candidates for the green synthesis of nanometallic particles