Biomedical Analysis · Published 2026-06-01 · DOI 10.1016/j.bioana.2026.06.001
Pavithra Bharathy, Punniyakoti V. Thanikachalam, Silpa Jayaprakash, Priya Modhugur Sathyanarayanan, Binoy Varghese Cheriyan
Diabetes-induced hyperglycemia leads to oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired wound healing, particularly in gangrene. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using flower extracts of Ixora coccinea and Rhododendron arboreum (IR-AgNPs) through a microwave-assisted green synthesis method. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV–spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, and zeta size analysis. IR-AgNPs exhibited strong antioxidant activity surpassing that of ascorbic acid and significant anti-inflammatory effects exceeding diclofenac sodium. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity was observed against E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and Clostridium perfringens, key pathogens associated with gangrene. Cytotoxicity studies revealed minimal toxicity at concentrations ≤ 20 µg/mL. Under hyperglycemic conditions (25 mM glucose), 3T3-L1 fibroblasts showed decreased viability, elevated ROS, reduced glucose uptake, and downregulation of insulin signaling genes. Treatment with IR-AgNPs (25–100 µg/mL) restored cell viability, reduced ROS, enhanced glucose uptake, and promoted wound closure. Gene expression analysis confirmed upregulation of IRS-1, PI3K, AKT, and GLUT-4, indicating restored insulin sensitivity. These findings highlight the potential of IR-AgNPs as a multifunctional therapeutic approach for managing hyperglycemia-induced cellular dysfunction and promoting tissue repair in diabetic gangrene.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Bharathy, P., Thanikachalam, P., Jayaprakash, S., et al. (2026). Ameliorative effects of silver nanoparticles on hyperglycemia-induced cellular stress in gangrene. Biomedical Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioana.2026.06.001