Phytochemistry of Medicago lupulina Leaf: Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles, Quantitative Analysis of phenolic compounds by LC-ESI/MS/MS, Antiproliferative Activity, and Molecular Docking Study
Esma Nur Gecer, Ramazan Erenler, Ilyas Yildiz, Imene Messaoud Nacer, Suleyman Muhammed CelikBackground:
Plants have been used extensively for folk medicine and drug development. The synthesis of nanoparticles from natural products has recently attracted considerable interest.
Method:
Medicago lupulina leaves were extracted with methanol, and the quantification of phenolic compounds was revealed by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Silver nanoparticles (ml-AgNPs) were produced by a green approach using M. lupulina leaves, and their structures were determined by analytical techniques such as UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, TEM, and zeta sizer. Antiproliferative activity of the extract and nanoparticles was assessed by MTT assay using Caco-2, MCF-7, and L929 cell lines. The Molecular docking study was carried out.
Results:
Syringic acid (19.6 μg/g extract), salicylic acid (45.15), coumarin (89.2), hesperidin (55.3), and rutin (171.9) were determined as major products by LC-ESI/MS/MS. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using the Medicago lupulina leaves. The maximum absorption was observed at 456 nm by UV-Vis spectroscopy. XRD analysis determined that the nanoparticles have a face-centered cubic structure and a particle size of 9.9 nm. The TEM image revealed that the nanoparticles exhibited a uniform spherical morphology with minimal aggregation. ml-AgNPs displayed better antiproliferative activity than the extract. The viability of MCF-7 cells was 21.9 ± 1.5% and 31.4 ± 1.05% at 1.0 mg/mL when treated with ml-AgNPs and the extract, respectively. ml-AgNPs and the extract displayed high activity against Caco-2 as well.
Discussion:
The bioactive compounds were determined quantitatively. UV-Vis analysis confirmed the formation of mL-AgNPs. The small particle size was verified by XRD and TEM analysis, which are effective for biological activity. The extract and nanoparticles displayed high antiproliferative activity against the tested cell lines.
Conclusion:
Medicago lupulina leaves include significant bioactive compounds that can be a source of these compounds. Nanoparticles capped by bioactive compounds revealed high anticancer activity that can be significant for food and pharmaceutical industries.