Evaluation of antimicrobial and anticancer effects of silver nanoparticles synthesized by extracts of chamomile (Matricaria parthenium)

Silver nanoparticles have been widely used due to their anti-bacterial activities and anticancer properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects and cell toxicity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using extracts of chamomile on three neoplastic cell lines (A549, MCF-7 and HeLa).

Silver nanoparticles were biologically synthesized using extracts of chamomile. After physical and chemical evaluation of the synthesized nanoparticles, their antimicrobial properties were estimated on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, the inhibitory effect of synthesized nanoparticles evaluated by using MTT technique on 3 neoplastic cell lines.

  The average size of nanoparticles synthesized by the extract of chamomile were 19 nm. The synthesized nanoparticles could have a significant inhibitory and lethal effect on the two named bacteria. silver nanoparticles were able to show a 50% inhibitory effect on different cell lines at a concentration of 50 μg/ml.

Based on the results, it can be stated that medicinal plants can be used in the successful biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. After human studies and tests, chamomile-based silver nanoparticles can be used as effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of some cancers due to their coating of effective secondary metabolites and the release of silver ions (Ag+).