Current Biotechnology - Volume 14, Issue 3, 2025

The biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is a rapidly developing field that integrates biological systems with nanotechnology to produce nanoparticles with unique properties. This study aimed to biosynthesize gold nanoparticles using Asparagus Racemosus root extract (popularly known as Shatavari root aqueous extract) (AR-AuNPs), to characterize the AuNPs spectrally, and to explore their potential applications.

AuNPs were synthesized using Shatavari extract, leveraging its polyphenolic content for the reduction of gold ions. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, with a surface plasmon resonance peak at 550 nm. Further characterization was performed using electron microscopy to assess size and morphology, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to analyse the crystalline structure, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify functional groups, and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) to determine particle size and zeta potential.

The bio-synthesized gold nanoparticles are spectrally characterized; the size of the gold nanoparticles is below 50 nm, and they reveal very good biomedical applications. The biosynthesized AR-AuNPs exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with the nitric oxide (NO) scavenging method proving superior to the DPPH and H2O2 assays. While the antimicrobial activity of AR-AuNPs was limited against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, they showed effective DNA binding activity.

The synthesized gold nanoparticles exhibited a characteristic UV-Vis absorption peak at 550 nm, confirming their successful formation. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis revealed an average particle size of 44.7 nm, and the zeta potential was measured at -14.3 mV, indicating moderate stability. The polyphenols present in the aqueous extract of Shatavari plant roots likely played a role in both the reduction and stabilization of the AuNPs. When tested on A549 cell lines, the AR-AuNPs demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity, with an IC50 value of 68.99 µM, compared to Cisplatin. However, they lacked anticancer activity against MCF-7 cell lines. The biosynthesized AR-AuNPs exhibited strong antioxidant activity, moderate antimicrobial activity, and effective DNA binding activity.

Biosynthesizing AuNPs using Shatavari extract is a green, sustainable method that produces nanoparticles with desirable properties for various applications. The synthesized AuNPs exhibit promising capabilities in the fields of medicine and environmental science, positioning them as valuable tools for future research. Further studies are needed to explore their potential in real-world applications.

Biotechnology provides the biological data and molecular insights that drive Computer-Aided Drug Designing (CADD), which is an advanced computational technique used in drug discovery and development. It integrates biological, chemical, and computational tools to identify and optimize potential therapeutic compounds. Its connection with biotechnology is significant. The importance of the indole moiety in drug discovery emphasizes its privileged status in finding new drug molecules. Understanding the functions of indole alkaloids, as well as structure-activity relationships (SARs) of indole derivatives and receptor tyrosine kinases, such as the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), is critical for developing targeted therapies for various diseases like breast cancer. Rational drug design is found to be important in the drug development process. The aim of the current investigation is to find, explore, and optimize indole alkaloids against receptor tyrosine kinases as a promising avenue in drug discovery and development, particularly in the context of breast cancer treatment employing a computational approach.

ChemAxon Marvin Sketch 5.11.5 was used to create 2D structures of indole alkaloids. The physicochemical characteristics of indole alkaloids, as well as their toxicity, were predicted using Swiss ADME & pkCSM online web tools. Molecular docking technology was used to examine the ligand-receptor interactions of indole alkaloids with the target receptor (PDB: 5GRN) using various programs, including Autodock 1.1.2, MGL Tools 1.5.6, Discovery Studio Visualizer v20.1.0.19295, Procheck, Protparam tool, and PyMOL.

All indole alkaloids and their derivatives were determined to be orally bioavailable, less toxic, and have acceptable pharmacokinetic properties according to in silico studies. In comparison to the traditional medication Sunitinib, all indole alkaloids displayed higher docking scores.

The indole alkaloids increase their potential as a novel therapy alternative for breast cancer and could facilitate more comprehensive in vivo, in vitro, chemical-based and pharma studies by medicinal chemists. As of now, our work is limited to in silico investigation of indole analogues, which will lay down a strong foundation for medicinal chemists to explore indole alkaloids.

The increase in binding energy and the quantity of H-bonds created by indole alkaloids with interactions at distances below 3.40A provide a helpful starting point for isolating indole alkaloids that are most suitable for additional research. The application of indole alkaloids as a potential new cancer treatment candidate is supported by their pharmacokinetics and toxicological profile, which may aid medical chemists in conducting more in-depth in vitro and in vivo chemical and pharmacological studies.

Vegetable soybean is emerging as a valuable crop due to its nutritional and economic benefits. However, its genetic and phenotypic diversity remains less explored compared to grain-type soybeans. This study aimed to evaluate the breeding potential of vegetable soybeans through a comparative analysis of grain- and vegetable-type genotypes.

Ten soybean genotypes (six vegetable-type and four grain-type) were characterized using phenotypic, reproductive, and genetic trait evaluations. Observations included growth stages, pod traits, and yield-related characteristics. Statistical analyses such as ANOVA, GCV, heritability estimates, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), hierarchical and Tocher’s clustering, and Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) marker analysis were conducted to assess trait variability and genetic diversity.

Significant genotype-specific variation was observed. EC892880 matured fastest (R1-R7 in 37-57 days), while RKS-18 took 112 days. EC892882 exhibited the longest pod length (5.63 cm), and EC892880 had the highest number of pods per cluster (6.93). High genetic control was noted for days to 50% flowering (GCV: 27.42%, heritability: 99.89%) and test weight (GCV: 25.38%, heritability: 99.74%). PCA revealed that days to pod setting and maturity (R7) were the primary contributors to phenotypic variation, with PC1 and PC2 accounting for 84.5% of the total variance. Tocher’s analysis showed the highest genetic divergence (D² = 28,292.49) between Clusters II and III. Among 45 SSR markers, 41 were amplified but showed no polymorphism.

The results highlight substantial phenotypic diversity among genotypes, especially in maturity duration and yield-related traits, with some traits under strong genetic control. However, the lack of SSR polymorphism suggests limited molecular diversity, indicating the need for more robust genomic tools. Vegetable-type soybeans showed high intra-group similarity, which may limit genetic gain unless broader diversity is introduced.

This study identifies key traits and diverse genotypes suitable for targeted breeding in vegetable soybeans. The findings emphasize the potential of phenotypic selection and highlight the urgent need for enhanced genomic marker development to facilitate molecular breeding efforts in vegetable soybean improvement.