Abstract

FORMULATION, DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES OF BLEPHARIS EDULIS FOR THE TREATMENT OF CANDIDIASIS

Pragya Pandey*, Dr. Shailendra Bindaiya, Dr. Shailendra Lariya

Radharaman College of Pharmacy, Bhopal

ABSTRACT

Nanoparticles are gaining interest in biomedical applications due to its importance such as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-cancer agents. A conventional method for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles involves toxic reagents which produce harmful by-products and are hazardous to the environment. To overcome these limitations, green synthesis of nanoparticles was established. Eco-friendly methods using plant extracts are gaining popularity due to the abundance of raw materials and the production of non-toxic by-products threatening to the environment. Moreover, the nanoparticles synthesized from the plant extract are cost-effective. In addition, nanoparticles produced by green synthesis methods produce synergetic effect where both the nanoparticles as well as the natural bioactive constituents of the plant influence the biocidal properties. Blepharis edulis (B. edulis) is traditionally used as an antiseptic, purgative, aphrodisiac and anti-inflammatory agent. The present investigation evaluates phytochemical screening and green synthesis, characterization of silver nanoparticles. Characterization of silver nanoparticles performed by surface charge, vesicle size, entrapment efficiency and microscopic observation. The optimized formulation of silver nanoparticles was incorporated into a carbapol 940 gel base which was evaluated for drug content, pH, spreadability, washability, extrudability, viscosity and in vitro permeation. The phytochemical screening results unveiled the bearing of different phytochemicals viz., phenolics, proteins and amino acids, carbohydrates, saponins and diterpines. The total phenolics content of seeds of aqueous extract was (1.125mg/gm). The characterization results of the prepared AgNPs displayed that the silver nanoparticles are formed and stabilized by plant phyto-constituents. Green synthesis process is a pivotal area in nanotechnology and usage of natural resources is the best choice for the making of NPs as a sustainable, eco-friendly, inexpensive and free of chemical contaminant method. These AgNPs have several potential biological and medical applications.

Keywords: Blepharis edulis, Phytochemical screening, Silver nanoparticles, Characterization, Carbapol 940.