Green-synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Podocarpus macrophyllus - for targeting GBM and LGG brain cancers via NOTCH2 gene interactions

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Skyler

Study develops a sustainable green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using Podocarpus macrophyllus leaf extract as a reducing agent. The nanoparticles are characterized for physicochemical properties, showing controlled particle size of 13 nm via SEM. FTIR confirms functional groups and EDX indicates ~90% silver composition. Biological testing reports strong antioxidant activity (90% free radical scavenging), anti-inflammatory effects (99.15% protein denaturation inhibition), and anti-diabetic potential (90.56% alpha-amylase inhibition), plus antimicrobial activity and notable antihemolytic activity. Computational analysis suggests NOTCH2 interaction relevant to GBM and LGG therapy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Limitations of conventional brain cancer treatments

Role of nanotechnology and AgNPs

Green synthesis of AgNPs

Rationale for green synthesis

Role of Podocarpus macrophyllus

Characterization and biological evaluation

SEM, FTIR, and EDX findings

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic activities

Antimicrobial and antihemolytic activity

Computational target interaction

NOTCH2 gene interaction with AgNPs

[www. nature.com/scientificreports](www. nature.com/scientificreports) OPEN Green-synthesis of silver nanoparticles AgNPs from Podocarpus macrophyllus for targeting GBM and LGG brain cancers via NOTCH2 gene interactions Muhammad Naveed1􀀍, Sarmad Mahmood1, Tariq Aziz2􀀍, Arooj Azeem1, Zeerwah Rajpoot1, Shafiq ur Rehman3, FahadAl-Asmari4, Amirah S. Alahmari5, Ohud Saleh6, ManalY. Sameeh7, Majid Alhomrani8, Abdulhakeem S. Alamri8 & SaharA. Alshareef9 Brain tumors, particularly Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) and Low-Grade Gliomas (LGG), present significant clinical challenges due to their aggressive nature and resistance to conventional treatments. Traditional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are often limited in efficacy, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. Nanotechnology, particularly the use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), offers a targeted and potentially more effective approach. This study focuses on the green synthesis of Ag NPs using Podocarpus macrophyllus leaf extract as a reducing agent. The synthesized Ag NPs were characterized for their physicochemical properties, demonstrating a controlled particle size of 13 nm as determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) . Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups, and energy-dispersiveX-ray (EDX) spectroscopy revealed that silver constituted approximately 90% of the nanoparticle composition. The Ag NPs exhibited promising biological activity, including 90% free radical scavenging (antioxidant) activity, 99.15% inhibition of protein denaturation (anti-inflammatory activity), and 90.56% inhibition of alpha-amylase (anti-diabetic activity). Additionally, the nanoparticles displayed significant antihemolytic (89.9% inhibition) and antimicrobial activities, with a 20 mm inhibition zone against Staphylococcus species. Computational analyses further indicated that the NOTCH2 gene, which is upregulated in LGG and GBM, may interact with Ag NPs, suggesting their potential in brain cancer therapy. The green synthesis approach offers a sustainable and bioactive method for producing Ag NPs, underscoring their therapeutic promise for treating GBM and LGG. Keywords Ag NPs, GBM, LGG, SEM, FTIR, EDX, NOTCH2 gene Brain cancer encompasses a spectrum of tumors including Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) and Low-Grade Gliomas (LGG), both of which pose significant challenges to patients and healthcare systems. LGGs are relatively 1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore 54590, Punjab, Pakistan. 2Laboratory of Animal Health, Food Hygiene and Quality, University of Ioannina, Arta 47100, Greece. 3Department of Basic and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan. 4Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Hofuf, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia. 5Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia. 6Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21959, Saudi Arabia. 7Department of Chemistry Al, Leith University College Umm Al Qura University Makkah, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 8Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. 9Department of Biology, College of Science and Arts at Khulis, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 􀀍 email: [naveedquaidian@gmail.com](naveedquaidian@gmail.com); [iwockd@gmail.com](iwockd@gmail.com) [www. nature.com/scientificreports/](www. nature.com/scientificreports/) slow-growing tumors originating from glial cells, and while they have a better prognosis compared to GBM, they can still be invasive and debilitating. On the other hand, GBM is an aggressive and highly malignant tumor that tends to gro

FAQs

Why are AgNPs considered promising for GBM and LGG brain cancers?

AgNPs have intrinsic anticancer properties and can be engineered for targeted delivery. The study also highlights the potential relevance to GBM and LGG through NOTCH2 gene interactions.

How were the synthesized nanoparticles characterized?

SEM determined a controlled particle size of 13 nm, FTIR confirmed functional groups, and EDX showed silver constituted about 90% of the nanoparticle composition.

What biological activities were reported for the AgNPs?

The study reports 90% free radical scavenging (antioxidant), 99.15% inhibition of protein denaturation (anti-inflammatory), and 90.56% inhibition of alpha-amylase (anti-diabetic), plus antihemolytic and antimicrobial effects.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Skyler