Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Indian male fern (Dryopteris Cochleata), operational parameters, characterization and bioactivity on Naja naja venom neutralization.

Snakebite is considered as one of the acute severe medical problems across the world. Snake venoms composed of various group of toxins, enzymes and non-toxic enzymes. Phospholipases A2 present in Naja naja snake venom plays a significant role in lipid signalling and contributes to different inflammation in the human body. Dryopteris cochleata rhizomes have antioxidant, antimicrobial property and used to treat lesions, gonorrhoea, sores, muscular pain, rheumatic and also useful in dog and snake bites. In this study, Indian male fern D. cochleata rhizomes have been used for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with the aim to increase the bioactivity of plant extract and to evaluate N. naja snake venom inhibition activity of prepared nanoparticles. Green synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with the help of ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and atomic force microscopy. Naja naja venom inhibition activity of nanoparticles was performed using in vitro phospholipases A2 assay and tissue damage activity. The results showed that surface plasmon resonance maxima peaks of nanoparticles were observed at 424 nm. Average particle size was around 35 nm, with a spherical shape. Neutralization results exhibited that synthesized silver nanoparticles from D. cochleata decreased percentage of tissue damage, resulting in significant inhibition of phospholipase A2 and N. naja snake venom. Results concluded that green synthesized silver nanoparticles from D. cochleata rhizome neutralize N. naja snake venom activity.