BIOMEDICAL APPLICATION OF SELENIUM NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING LINUM USITATISSIMUM AND WITHANIA SOMNIFERA HERBAL FORMULATION

SURIYA M; KALAIMATHI J; REVATHI S; DEENA MOL J; KARTHIKA R; RAJESHKUMAR S; SURESH K

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2025v18i12.56260

Authors

SURIYA M Department of Biochemistry, Theivanai Ammal College for Women (Autonomous), Affiliated to Annamalai University, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India
KALAIMATHI J Department of Biochemistry, Theivanai Ammal College for Women (Autonomous), Affiliated to Annamalai University, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India
REVATHI S Department of Biochemistry, Theivanai Ammal College for Women (Autonomous), Affiliated to Annamalai University, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0093-0614
DEENA MOL J Department of Biochemistry, Theivanai Ammal College for Women (Autonomous), Affiliated to Annamalai University, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7667-922X
KARTHIKA R Department of Biochemistry, Theivanai Ammal College for Women (Autonomous), Affiliated to Annamalai University, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9218-6346
RAJESHKUMAR S Department of Anatomy, Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
SURESH K Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Annamalai University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2025v18i12.56260

Keywords:

Selenium nanoparticles, Linum usitatissimum, Withania somnifera, Green synthesis, Biomedical applications

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to synthesize and characterize selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using phytochemical-rich extracts of Linum usitatissimum (flaxseed) and Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), and to evaluate their biological efficacy and safety for biomedical applications.

Methods: SeNPs were synthesized through a green method employing aqueous extracts of flaxseed and ashwagandha as reducing and stabilizing agents. Characterization was performed using ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine morphology, crystallinity, and functional groups. Biological activities were assessed through antioxidant assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, Ferric reducing antioxidant power, ABTS), anti-inflammatory tests (bovine serum albumin and egg albumin denaturation), and antimicrobial evaluations (agar well-diffusion and time-kill assay). Cytotoxicity and embryonic toxicology were analyzed using brine shrimp lethality and zebrafish embryo viability assays.

Results: The UV-visible spectra confirmed nanoparticle formation with a characteristic peak at 270–280 nm. XRD and TEM analyses revealed crystalline SeNPs of ~25 nm stabilized by phytochemicals. SeNPs exhibited strong antioxidant activity (>75% inhibition), anti-inflammatory efficacy comparable to diclofenac sodium, and significant antimicrobial zones of inhibition at 100 μg/mL. Cytotoxicity was minimal at therapeutic doses, whereas zebrafish embryonic studies indicated dose-dependent toxicity at higher concentrations.

Conclusion: Green-synthesized SeNPs demonstrate potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, with good biocompatibility at therapeutic concentrations. Their eco-friendly synthesis and biological efficacy suggest strong potential as sustainable therapeutic agents, warranting further in vivo studies and clinical translation.

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Author Biography

REVATHI S, Department of Biochemistry, Theivanai Ammal College for Women (Autonomous), Affiliated to Annamalai University, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Department of Biochemistry

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