Abstract

Aim/Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are important nano materials with diverse applications, especially in medicine. The increasing use of AgNPs in medicine has drawn significant attention, making it essential to study their cytotoxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of Nigella sativa-mediated AgNPs, silver nitrate solution, and Nigella sativa seed extract using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) as a model.
Methods: Data was collected in 2021. Artemia salina eggs were hatched in seawater, and approximately 10 adults Artemia salina were introduced in test tubes containing 4.5 mL of seawater along with varying concentrations (150 µg/mL, 300 µg/mL, 500 µg/mL, 1000 µg/mL, and 1500 µg/mL) of the test samples. The test samples included Nigella sativa-AgNPs, silver nitrate solution, and Nigella sativa seed extract. The organisms were incubated at room temperature for 24 hours, after which the percentage of dead Artemia salina was recorded. Lethal concentration (LC50) values were determined using Probit analysis and compared with the Clarkson toxicity index.
Results: The results showed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited cytotoxic effects against Artemia salina nauplii, with an LC50 value of 1000.91 µg/mL, while silver nitrate showed a higher toxicity effect with an LC50 of 473.4 µg/mL. Meanwhile, Nigella sativa seed extract exhibited cytotoxicity at 1750.80 µg/mL. The mortality rate was dose dependent. The findings suggest that silver nitrate solution, known for its antimicrobial properties, exhibits higher toxicity than its nanoparticle form.
Conclusion: The lower toxicity of Nigella sativa seed extract highlights its potential as a safer alternative for synthesizing silver nanoparticles for biological applications.

Key words: Artemia salina, Silver nanoparticles, Brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay, cytotoxicity, Nigella sativa