Phytofabrication of Bioactive Molecules Encapsulated Metallic Silver Nanoparticles from Cucumis sativus L. and Its Enhanced Wound Healing Potential in Rat Model

The present study describes a rapid method for synthesis of metallic silver nanoparticles using callus (CAgNPs) and leaf extracts (LEAgNPs) of Cucumis sativus and evaluation of its wound healing activity in rat model. The prepared silver nanoparticles showed a peak at 350 nm corresponding to the surface plasmon resonance band. The FTIR spectroscopy measurements showed the presence of the possible biomolecules. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the crystalline structure of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. TEM images showed the size of the synthesized CAgNPs with diameter ranged from 21 nm to 23 nm with polygonal shape whereas, in the case of LEAgNPs, spherical shape was noticed with an average size between 11 nm and 19 nm. The EDX results indicated the chemical composition at specific locations on synthesized nanoparticles. Furthermore the topical application of ointment prepared using synthesized AgNPs was found to show enhanced wound healing activity in Wistar albino rat model. By the 21st day, the ointment base containing 5% (w/w) of silver nanoparticles showed 100% potential wound healing activity than the standard drug as well as control bases. Results strongly showed that the ointment base containing LEAgNPs was found to be very effective in wound repair mechanism in the experimental rats.