Synthesis and Characterization of Palladium Nanoparticles (PdNPs) Using Punica granatum Peel Extracts and its Evaluation for antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties

In the present study, plant mediated green synthesis approach was used for palladium nanoparticle synthesis from Punica granatum peels. The properties of bio-synthesized Palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) were characterized using UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, HRTEM and XRD. The HRTEM, SAED and XRD analysis showed that the crystalline monodispersed non-uniformly spherical nanoparticles were within a size range below 27 nm. Energy dispersive spectra (EDS) confirmed the elemental composition and FTIR analysis suggested the role of water-soluble polyols present in the P. granatum extract in mediating the synthesis of PdNPs. The PdNPs were evaluated for biomedical properties including in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant activities along with both in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer properties. The study showed efficacy and MIC of the crude P. granatum peel extract and PdNPs as antimicrobial agents against S. aureus and C. albicans. In vitro anti-oxidant assay demonstrated enhanced scavenging activity of PdNPs. In vitro anticancer activity of PdNPs against A549 and MCF7 cells showed reduced viability of 43% and 32% respectively. The in vivo study validates its bioactivity claim. This is the first report on palladium nanoparticles with Punica granatum as promising antimicrobial and anticancer agents.