Salvia officinalis-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Characterization and sub-acute toxicity profile in Wistar rats

Nanotechnology has transformed many scientific domains by providing novel approaches in environmental applications, material science, and medicine. Among the different nanomaterials being explored, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have drawn a lot of attention due to their exceptional antioxidant, antimicrobial, and biological qualities. AgNPs synthesized using plant extracts have gained significant interest because of their eco-friendly and biocompatible properties. This study used Salvia officinalis aqueous leaf extract to create the Salvia officinalis silver nanoparticles (SO-AgNPs). These were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, TEM, and EDX. Interestingly, an absorption peak was found at 434 nm, and functional groups were observed in the FTIR output. The spherical SO-AgNPs ranged in size from 25 to 70 nm, with a strong peak at 3 keV. Investigation of SO-AgNPs’ safety was conducted in Wistar rats through sub-acute exposure. Daily oral dosages of SO-AgNPs (3–30 mg/kg body weight) were given to the rats. Clinicals, hematological, and clinical chemistry parameters were monitored to evaluate potential toxicological effects. There were no clinical changes noted. Evaluation of hematological and clinical chemistry parameters showed no appreciable differences between the control and treatment groups (P> 0.05). According to the findings, SO-AgNPs may be safe to use up to 30 mg/kg body weight per day. Further investigations on long-term exposure will enhance our understanding of their safety profile.