Cajanus cajan pods assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and assessment of their cytotoxicity.

Nowadays, the fabrication of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is receiving considerable attention due to their wide range of applications in various domains. The green approach to synthesizing Ag NPs is cost-effective and ecologically safe, as it does not involve any sophisticated instruments or hazardous chemicals. Cajanus cajan (CC, Pigeon pea) is a plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. So far, only pigeon pea leaves and seeds have been used in the synthesis of NPs. After the removal of edible seeds, pods are fed to cattle as fodder. The pods contain different flavonoids, iridoids, and other miscellaneous compounds. The present research focuses on the use of C. cajan pods in the fabrication of Ag NPs and the evaluation of their cytotoxicity against normal and breast cancer cells. On characterization, Ag NPs were found to be oval in shape, crystalline in nature, and capped with phytochemicals present in CC. The results of the MTT assay revealed that Ag NPs are cytotoxic to breast cancer cells. It can be concluded that phytochemicals present in C. cajan pods reduced the precursor into Ag NPs, which were significantly biologically active.