Alpha-amylase Inhibitory and Cytotoxicity Investigation of Biologically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Balanites aegyptiaca on C2C12 Cells

Introduction: Silver nanoparticles were biologically synthesized from the leaf and seed extract of Balanites aegyptiaca against diabetes. Method: The silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, TEM, zeta potential and dynamic light scattering for size distribution. The finding proved the nanosize and spherical shapes of the nanoparticles. In-vitro antidiabetic and cytotoxic activities of the synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated for the first time in both the plant extract, and they showed significant inhibition of α-amylase. However, the inhibition was elevated in the case of nanoparticles. Result: It was found that seed and leaf extract inhibited α-amylase up to 62.23±7.25631% and 63.90±5.632%, respectively. The elevation in the inhibition was observed in the case of their respective silver nanoparticles, such as AgNP seeds and AgNP leaves inhibited the enzyme up to 72.71±7.8569% and 74.04±6.3254%, respectively. They showed lesser cytotoxicity against C2C12 cells. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the leaf and seed extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca and synthesized silver nanoparticles from this plant can be good anti-diabetic agents.