Pharmacological Activities of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles and Leaf, Root Extracts of Muntingia calabura

Muntingia calabura (MC) is a valuable medicinal plant with many bioactive compounds that can be used to treat inflammation, ulcers and headaches. The current study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antibacterial activities of the methanolic leaf (MLE) and root (MRE) extracts of M. calabura, as well as the green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). MCAgNPs are synthesized by using the aqueous leaf extract of M. calabura and AgNO₃ solution. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the H₂O₂ free radical scavenging and reducing power assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was performed using human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization technique, while antidiabetic activity was performed using α-amylase inhibition assay. MCAgNPs showed significant antioxidant activity by H₂O₂ inhibition (83.66%) and reducing power assay (0.178); anti-inflammatory activity (87.54%); and antidiabetic activity (78.16%) when compared with MCMLE and MCMRE. Furthermore, using the well diffusion technique, MCAgNPs showed more efficient antibacterial activity compared to MCMLE and MCMRE.