Paper Details

PJB-2025-295

Biochemical assessment and therapeutic profiling of Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract-mediated gold nanoparticles

Ajmal M. Theyyathel, Anima Nanda, Mohmmad Ashaq Sofi and B.K. Nayak
Abstract

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Green chemistry offers sustainable approaches to nanoparticle synthesis by avoiding toxic reagents and utilizing plant-derived bioactive compounds. Rosmarinus officinalis leaves, rich in flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and phenolics, were employed to synthesize gold nanoparticles (RO-AuNPs) within 10 minutes at room temperature. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis, FESEM, XRD, and EDX analyses. RO-AuNPs were predominantly spherical, monodisperse, and measured 16–57 nm in size. EDX confirmed gold as the major element, while XRD revealed a face-centred cubic structure. RO-AuNPs displayed antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans, with MIC values of 128, 64, 128, 64, and 256 µg/mL, respectively. The crude extract showed no such activity. Cytotoxicity assays on A549 lung cancer cells yielded IC₅₀ values of 33.60 and 23.12 µg/mL at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Apoptotic induction was confirmed by AO/PI staining and upregulation of Cytochrome C, indicating activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Additionally, significant downregulation of IL-6 expression suggested anti-inflammatory activity with potential implications for tumor microenvironment modulation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that R. officinalis-mediated gold nanoparticles possess multifunctional bioactivities and represent a promising, eco-friendly platform for future antimicrobial and anticancer applications

To Cite this article: Theyyathel, A.M., A. Nanda, M.A. Sofi and B.K. Nayak. 2026. Biochemical assessment and therapeutic profiling of Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract-mediated gold nanoparticles. Pak. J. Bot., 58(4): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2026-4(7)  
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