Nanotechnology and phytomedicine offer innovative methods for developing novel drugs. The ecologically friendly production of nanoparticles of silver (AgNPs) with substances derived from plants provides a biocompatible and environmentally acceptable substitute for traditional techniques by utilizing the inherent phytochemical bioactivity. Indigofera astragalina (IA), which is high in flavonoids and phenolic, was employed as a reductant and stabilizer. Silver nanoparticles produced with IA leaf extract (i.e. IA-AgNPs) were examined utilizing ultraviolet-visible light SEM/TEM, XRD, FTIR, and DLS. The results showed that the obtained IA-AgNPs were spherical, crystalline nanoparticles having an average size of 8.2 nm and excellent stability i.e. a zeta potential of -53.06 mV. The agar well diffusion method was used to assess its antimicrobial efficacy against species of Gram-positive (S. aureus, and B. cereus), Gram-negative (E. coli, and K. pneumoniae) and Candida albicans pathogens, followed by their MIC, MBC, and IC₅₀ analysis. The MIC values of IA-AgNPs were 8–16 times lower than those of the crude extract, showing a marked higher level of dose-dependent inhibition. Significant efficacy was observed against Candida albicans (MIC: 0.78 μg/mL; IC₅₀: 0.6 μg/mL). IA-AgNPs demonstrated superior radical quenching ability, as evidenced by their antioxidant activity measured through superoxide scavenging assays (86.9%). The significant bio enhancement highlights a combined effect between the surface-bound phytochemicals and silver core, supporting the ethno pharmacological application of IA and establishing IA-AgNPs as a prospective multifunctional biotherapeutics that combat infections and scavenge free radicals.
Rajani et al. (2026) studied this question.