Background:
Stems of Nicotiana tabacum have secondary metabolites with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The purpose of the present study was to investigate their therapeutic properties of synthesized silver nanoparticles
(Protein-AgNPs) of an isolated protein mixture from stems.
Methodology:
A N. tabacum protein mixture was used for the formation of silver nanoparticles by the bioreduction method.
Characterization of Protein – AgNPs was completed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Atomic
force microscope (AFM) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). Therapeutic properties of Protein-AgNPs were evident
with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The antimicrobial activity of Protein-AgNPs was determined by the agar well
diffusion and broth diffusion methods. The mode of action of Protein-AgNPs was determined by the cellular membrane
leakage assay. Antioxidant activities of Protein-AgNPs were quantified by superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), catalase
activity (Cat), glutathione S transferase activity (GST), glutathione content (GSH) and lipid peroxidation.
Results:
The synthesized Protein-AgNPs were less than 100nm as characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, DLS, AFM and
SEM. Antimicrobial activity was observed against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria revealed maximum antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii (p value ≤ 0.05) as determined by the agar
well diffusion method and the broth dilution method. The mode of action is likely to be cellular membrane damage, because
protein and nucleic acid leakage was significant in treated cells. The antioxidant activities of Protein-AgNPs were higher
than purified proteins as determined by superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), catalase activity (Cat), glutathione Stransferase activity (GST), glutathione content (GSH) and lipid peroxidation.
Conclusion:
Synthesized silver nanoparticles froma tobacco stem protein mixture can be utilized as a herbal remedy or as
nano-drug delivery system against diseases such a microbial pathogens.
Correction to: Production of a Recombinant Dermaseptin Peptide in Nicotiana tabacum Hairy Roots with Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity
