Phytochemical profiling, green synthesis of Ag, Cu, Fe, and Zn nanoparticles, and in vitro biological activities of Delphinium brunonianum Royle.

Delphinium brunonianum Royle (Ranunculaceae) is medicinally important species that has a diverse phytochemical profile and pharmacological potential. This study aimed to investigate phytochemicals, green synthesis of nanoparticles, and in vitro biological activities of Delphinium brunonianum extracts. GC-MS study of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane extracts verified the existence of various bioactive phytochemicals. Green synthesis of Ag, Cu, Fe, and Zn nanoparticles was determined using UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FT-IR, and SEM. Biological analysis showed that ethyl acetate extract and Ag nanoparticles exhibited radical scavenging activity, showing 93.43% and 66.99% inhibition, respectively. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition was high in n-hexane extract with 57.56%, whereas lipase inhibition was predominant in Cu and Fe nanoparticles with 72.52% and 65.90% values, respectively. Inhibition of tyrosinase was high in Cu nanoparticles with a 78.18% value, but inhibitory effect of α-amylase was high in crude extract with 49.06%. Zone of inhibition of n-hexane extract was 21.66 mm and Zn nanoparticles had 27.3 mm in antibacterial and antifungal activities, respectively. The results suggest that D. brunonianum is a potential source of bioactive phytochemicals and an effective green matrix for the synthesis of nanoparticles to support its possible implication in medical-related fields in future.