Multifunctional silver nanoparticles phytofabricated from Vaccinium arctostaphylos: Structural characterization and evaluation of thrombolytic and antioxidant activities.

Given the growing interest in developing multifunctional nanomaterials through sustainable approaches, the present study explores the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Vaccinium arctostaphylos as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. The AgNPs were evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, and thrombolytic potential. Comprehensive physicochemical characterizations were conducted using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. UV-Vis analysis revealed characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands with λmax values ranging from 407.79 to 452.66 nm across different pH conditions, with the highest absorbance intensity (1.19 AU at 407.79 nm) observed for nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized at pH 10. Accordingly, this formulation was selected for subsequent physicochemical characterization and biological evaluation. The selected AgNPs exhibited an average hydrodynamic diameter of 36.88 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.236, and a zeta potential of -35.5 mV, indicating good colloidal stability. FT-IR analysis suggested that plant-derived phytochemicals participated in nanoparticle reduction and surface capping. The AgNPs demonstrated concentration-dependent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 369.196 μg/mL (95% CI: 277.108-497.647), reaching 67.78% DPPH radical scavenging at 1000 μg/mL, which was statistically comparable to ascorbic acid (65.79%, P > 0.05). Notably, the AgNPs exhibited significantly greater thrombolytic activity (16.16%) than the plant extract (7.75%) and saline controls (8.14%, P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that V. arctostaphylos leaves provide an effective, sustainable platform for fabricating multifunctional AgNPs.