GREEN SYNTHESIZED PTEROCARPUS MARSUPIUM SILVER NANOPARTICLES LOADED TOPICAL GEL: FORMULATION, CHARACTERIZATION, MOLECULAR DOCKING AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY STUDIES

L. Gopi*, H. Tharun, K. Thilagavathi, B. Venkatesh, S. Tamil Alagan, S. Vasudevan

The present study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous stem extract of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb and formulate them into a topical gel for anti-inflammatory applications. The plant extract was prepared by aqueous extraction and utilized as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, and gums and mucilage. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, and particle size analysis. UV analysis showed a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak around 410 nm, confirming nanoparticle formation. SEM analysis revealed nanosized particles with sizes ranging from 194.3 to 410.8 nm. The nanoparticles were incorporated into Carbopol 940 gel formulations (F1, F2, and F3). Evaluation studies demonstrated acceptable physicochemical properties, including suitable pH, viscosity, spreadability, homogeneity, and absence of skin irritation. In-vitro drug release studies showed sustained release behavior, with maximum release observed in formulation F3. Anti-inflammatory activity evaluated by the egg albumin denaturation method revealed significant inhibition, with formulation F3 exhibiting the highest activity (81.95%). Molecular docking studies further supported the anti-inflammatory potential of phytoconstituents present in Pterocarpus marsupium. The findings indicate that silver nanoparticle-loaded topical gel possesses promising anti-inflammatory activity and may serve as an effective herbal nanoformulation for topical therapeutic applications.