Synthesis of Ag/MgO-NCs and Extraction of Essential Oil from Leaves of Chicorium intybus: Exploring Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties

In this study, methanolic extract of Chicorium intybus leaves was obtained via Soxhlet extraction &Silver-Magnesium oxide nanocomposites (Ag/MgO-NCs) were synthesized using this extract through an eco-friendly approach. Additionally, essential oil was extracted from the C.intybus leaves by steam distillation. The therapeutic potential of both Ag/MgO-NCs and essential oil was explored, focusing on their antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Comprehensive characterization techniques like X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed the cubic crystalline nature of the Ag/MgO-NCs with a crystallite size of 13.74 nm and a spherical shape. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified bioactive compounds within the methanolic extract. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed against bacterial strains including S. aureus, P. multocida, B. subtilis, and E. coli revealing significant inhibition zones up to 32 mm for Ag/MgO-NCs. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assays, where Ag/MgO-NCs exhibited a potent IC₅₀ value of 2.29 µg/mL. This multidimensional approach sheds light on the promising applications of these compounds in healthcare and pharmaceutical sciences, paving the way for further optimization for clinical use.