Exploring the Antioxidant Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Gishta (Annonaceae) Seeds: A Comprehensive Assessment of Free Radical Scavenging Activities

Abstract

Antioxidants, often described as "free-radical scavengers," are compounds that can help prevent or slow the damage caused by free radicals to cells. Many plant-based substances are thought to be rich in antioxidants, and one such plant, Gishta (a member of the Annonaceae family native to North-East Ethiopia), is commonly used in traditional medicine. However, the antioxidant properties of Gishta have not been extensively studied. In the current research, silver nanoparticles were synthesized from Gishta seeds using organic solvents, and their antioxidant activities were evaluated through various assays, including DPPH free radical scavenging, FeCl3-based reducing power, nitric oxide free radical scavenging, and superoxide scavenging. Standard reference substances were used for comparison in each test. The results demonstrated that the antioxidant activity of the Gishta seed extracts was comparable to that of the standard drugs across all tests. The antioxidant efficacy of the plant can be attributed to flavonoids, alkaloids, and acetogenins present in the seeds. These findings highlight the potential of Gishta as a valuable source of antioxidants, which could have therapeutic applications.