Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential: Cylicodiscus gabunensis (FABACEAE) Aqueous Stem Bark Extract Derived Silver Nanoparticles for Enhanced Anti-inflammation in Wistar Rats
Francois Eya’ane Meva *
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
Philippe Belle Ebanda Kedi
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
Agnes Antoinette Ntoumba
Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 24157 Douala, Cameroon.
Pamela Ngadie Mponge
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
Juliette Koube
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
Gildas Fonye Nyuyfoni
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon.
Jean Baptiste Hzounda Fokou
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
Thi Hai Yen Beglau
Institute for Inorganic Chemistry and Structural Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40204 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Alex Kevin Tako Djimefo
Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 24157 Douala, Cameroon.
Annie Guilaine Djuidje
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
Geordamie Chimi Tchatchouang
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 24157 Douala, Cameroon.
Ariane Laure Wounang
Graduate school for Health Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
Madeleine Ines Danielle Evouna
Clinical Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
Maeva Jenna Chameni Nkouankam
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
Yolaine Pamela Dada Youte
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
Bertin Sone Enone
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
Christoph Janiak
Institute for Inorganic Chemistry and Structural Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40204 Düsseldorf, Germany.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Medicinal plants and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles have gained increasing attention as potential alternatives to conventional anti-inflammatory therapies due to their bioactivity, biocompatibility, and reduced toxicity.
Aims: The present study investigates the anti-inflammatory activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using the aqueous stem bark extract of Cylicodiscus gabunensis. The aqueous extract was prepared by infusion and reacted with silver nitrate to generate AgNPs.
Study Design: Experimental.
Place and Duration of Study: Department pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon, between November 2021 and June 2022.
Methodology: Comprehensive physicochemical characterization was carried out using UV-Vis spectrophotometry to confirm nanoparticle formation, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify functional groups at the metal-biomolecule interface, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess crystallinity and purity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine morphology, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to determine elemental composition.Acute toxicity was evaluated in accordance with OECD Guideline 425, while anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in vitro using the bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assay and in vivo using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model.
Results: The synthesized AgNPs were stable, crystalline, composed of elemental silver, and no signs of acute toxicity were observed. Notably, the AgNPs exhibited pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, achieving 95% inhibition of BSA denaturation at 200 µg/mL in vitro and 91% inhibition of paw edema at 400 µg/kg in vivo.
Conclusion: Overall, silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from Cylicodiscus gabunensis stem bark demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects coupled with low toxicity, highlighting their promise as a plant-derived, biocompatible alternative for the management of inflammatory disorders.
Keywords: Cylicodiscus gabunensis, silver nanoparticles, green synthesis, acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory activity