Biosynthesis of Metal Nanoparticles from Leaves of Ficus palmata and Evaluation of Their Anti-inflammatory and Anti-diabetic Activities

Metal nanoparticles (AgNPs and ZnONPs) were synthesized using a green methodology with the green leaves extract of the Bedu (Ficus palmata) tree as a reducing agent and the support of natural fibers. The synthesized AgNPs and ZnONPs were characterized by several techniques, including ultraviolet-visible spectral analysis, powder X-ray diffraction crystal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, EDAX, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which confirmed that the synthesized particles are in the nano range (1-100 nm), i.e., 30 nm for AgNPs with polydispersity and a spherical shape, whereas the average size of synthesized ZnONPs is 34 nm and they seem to exhibit a distorted spherical shape. The results of thermogravimetric analysis confirmed a weight loss of 18.02% for AgNPs under exothermic conditions due to the desorption of water, and ZnONPs show weight loss between 265 and 500 °C. Both synthesized MNPs are highly thermally stable. Anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic studies of metal NPs have been evaluated. The AgNPs and ZnONPs of F. palmata leaves showed remarkably highly potent activity for respective strains. In vitro anti-diabetic activity was found for inhibition of α-amylases and α-glucosidases by synthesized silver nanoparticles.