Cytotoxic Effects of Phytomediated Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Synthesised from Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), and Aspalathin

The green chemistry approach has continuously been applied for the synthesis of functional nanomaterials to reduce waste, environmental hazards, and the use of toxic chemicals among other reasons. Bioactive natural compounds have been found great potential in this regard and are used to improve the stability, activity, and biodistribution of metal nanoparticles (MNPs). Aspalathin (ASP) from Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) has a well-defined pharmacological profile and functional groups capable of both reducing and capping agents in the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NP). This study provides the first report of the phytomediated synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs/AgNPs) via ASP and the green rooibos (GR) extract. The study demonstrated a green chemistry approach to the biosynthesis of nanoparticles of GR-AuNPs, ASP-AuNPs, GR-AgNPs, and ASP-AgNPs. The results showed that GR and ASP could act both as reducing and stabilising agents in the formation of crystalline, with different shapes and dispersity of NPs in the ranges of 1.6–6.7 nm for AgNPs and 7.5–12.5 nm for the AuNPs. However, the ASP NPs were less stable in selected biogenic media compared to GR NPs and were later stabilised with polyethene glycol. The cytotoxicity studies showed that GR-AgNPs were the most cytotoxic against SH-SY5Y and HepG2 with IC(50) 108.8 and 183.4 μg/mL, respectively. The cellular uptake analysis showed a high uptake of AuNPs and indicated that AgNPs of rooibos at a lower dose (1.3–1.5 μg/mL) is favourable for its anticancer potential. This study is a contribution to plant-mediated metallic nanoparticles using a pure single compound that can be further developed for targeted drug delivery for cancer cells treatments in the coming years.