Spasmolytic Activity of Plant-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles from Fenugreek Seeds: Impact of Geographic Origin and Extraction Solvent

Background: Fenugreek is a widely used aromatic herb valued as a food ingredient. Fenugreek seeds and leaves are rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds that support overall health, particularly gastrointestinal function. The present paper describes a green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) utilizing aqueous and ethanolic extracts of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) grown in Bulgaria, Egypt, and India in order to find differences in AgNPs formation depending on geographic region and solvent used for the extraction and to find any changes in their spasmolytic activity. Methods: FT-IR, High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), DLS, and zeta-potential were used to characterize the produced AgNPs, aiming to verify their stability, size distribution, and formation. The biological activities of these extracts are then compared. Results: The ethanolic extracts were more effective for producing smaller, more homogeneous, and relatively stable AgNPs compared to aqueous extracts. Differences in phytochemical composition, which have a direct impact on the nucleation, development, and stability processes of NPs, could be the reason for the observed variances between plant extracts. AgNPs (aqueous), originated from Bulgaria, exhibited the strongest spasmogenic activity under the applied experimental conditions. The biosynthesized AgNPs also showed a selective antifungal activity against Aspergillus and Penicillium spp., with modest antibacterial effects. Conclusions: From a biological perspective, all samples’ fenugreek extracts had a minimal impact on gastrointestinal contractility, but the AgNPs derived from these extracts had a greater spasmogenic effect. These findings point to a combination that enhances both functional efficacy and bioavailability. The Bulgarian fenugreek aqueous extract produced AgNPs with the strongest spasmogenic activity of all the preparations examined. The results showed the potential of AgNPs from fenugreek seeds for biomedical applications.