Novel multitasking gold nanoparticles biosynthesized by Cassia fistula: antifungal, anti- obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-ulcer activities

Abstract

Abstract In this study, an aqueous extract of Cassia fistula leaves (CFLE) was employed for the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (CFL-AuNPs). The CFL-AuNPs were characterized and evaluated for antifungal, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-ulcer activities in vitro. The characteristic change in color from colorless to wine red and the UV-visible absorption at 560 nm confirmed the phytosynthesis of CFL-AuNPs. The particles were anisotropic, with spherical and irregular shapes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed peaks that correspond to the -OH compound of phenols or alcohol, -NH2, -N-H amines of protein, and -C=O/-C-O of carbonyl groups. CFL-AuNPs were active against Aspergillus flavus (50.70%), A. fumigatus (47.73%), A. niger (44.29%), and Fusarium solani (47.65%). Similarly, CFL-AuNPs exhibited lipase inhibitory activity of 88.93±0.81% with an IC50 of 121.38 µg/ml comparable with standard Orlistat (89.46±0.50%) having an IC50 of 120.51 µg/ml showing anti-obesity potential. CFL-AuNPs also inhibited alpha-glucosidase activity by 42.93±4.12%. Proton potassium (H+-/K+-) ATPase inhibitory assay of CFL-AuNPs showed activity of 84.60±9.54% at IC50 <75 µg/ml which was more efficient than acetaminophen (IC50 of 187.6 µg/ml) with promising anti-ulcer activity. The phytosynthesized CFL-AuNPs exhibited a multitasking nature as demonstrated by the antifungal, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-ulcer activities, making it a promising candidate for further study as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of multiple diseases. As far as we are aware, this is the foremost report on the in vitro evaluation of the anti-ulcer activities of AuNPs.