Phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant activity of Bacopa monniera stabilized silver and gold nanoparticles

The current study demonstrates the formation of gold and silver nanoparticles using ethonolic extract of neurobeneficial plant, Bacopa monniera. The nanoparticles (GNPs and SNPs) were synthesized and coated with varied phytochemicals present in the whole plant ethanolic extract of Bacopa monniera (BmGNPs and BmSNPs). The Bacopa monniera stabilized nanoparticles (BmGNPs and BmSNPs) are investigated for their phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential in vitro.Bacopa monniera (Bm) ethanolic extract, silver nanoparticles (SNPs), gold nanoparticles (GNPs), as well as Bacopa monniera stabilized silver (BmSNPs) and gold (BmGNPs) nanoparticles were studied for their phytochemicals by using standard qualitative methods and also performed DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power assay and metal chelating activity for in vitro antioxidant potential. The five test samples (Bm ethanolic extract, SNPs, GNPs, Bm stabilized silver (BmSNPs) and gold (BmGNPs) nanoparticles showed positive results for amino acids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, saponins and steroids. But they showed negative test for tannins and anthraquinones. The results also showed that the Bm stabilized silver (BmSNPs) and gold (BmGNPs) nanoparticles have higher DPPH radical scavenging action, strong reducing power and metal chelating activity compared to other groups. The present results indicate that by combining the Bacopa monniera plant extract with silver and gold nanoparticles, the antioxidant potential of nanoparticles was enhanced. This study provide scientific rationale for the use of BmSNPs and BmGNPs as an antioxidants.