Carduus edelbergii Rech. f. Mediated Fabrication of Gold Nanoparticles; Characterization and Evaluation of Antimicrobial,Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Potency of the Synthesized AuNPs

Background: Due to the high expense, less effectiveness and more side effects of available synthetic medicine, the researchers and communities are focusing on phyto-based natural bioactive compounds, which are considered safer for the treatment of syndromes and chronic diseases. Aim: The current project was aimed to determine the phytochemicals constituents available in the aerial parts of methanol extract of Carduus edelbergii via GC-MS, fabrication of AuNPs mediated with the mentioned extract; characterization and evaluation of antimicrobial, antioxidant and antidiabetic potency of the synthesized AuNPs. Methods: Confirmation of green synthesis of AuNPs, functional groups responsible for the reduction in Au⁺, size and crystallinity, morphology and quantity of gold (Au) were carried out by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and dispersive X-ray (EDX), respectively, whereas in vitro antioxidant characteristics were assessed by DPPH and ABTS assays. Wistar albino rats were used to test the anti-diabetic properties of the methanol extract and AuNPs. Results: GC-MS revealed that the diluted methanol extract of Carduus edelbergii consists of about 19 chemical constituents. Among the identified compounds, the 13-Docosenoic acid, methyl ester, (Z)—has the highest concentration (38.16%), followed by 9-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E)—(15.72%) and n-Hexadecanoic acid (15.07%). Methanol extract and its fabricated nanoparticles showed significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In vivo antidiabetic study revealed a noteworthy (p < 0.05) decline in body weight and HDL and elevated concentration of blood glucose, bilirubin, creatinine, urea, triglyceride, VLDL, LDL, ALP, ALT and AST in diabetic control. The said changes were recovered significantly (p < 0.05) by treatment of diabetic rats with methanol extract (150 and 300 mg/Kg BW) and AuNPs of Carduus edelbergii (5 and 10 mg/Kg BW). Conclusion: The green synthesized AuNPs exhibit significant antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic characteristics.