Green Synthesis of Pegylated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles of Eriobotrya Japonica Leaves Extract in Combination With B3, Against Plasmodium Falciparum 3D7 Strain Publisher



Etemadi S^{1, 2} ; Mehravaran A³ ; Delcheh EY¹ ; Khezri A⁴ ; Nateghpour M⁴ ; Haghi AM⁴ ; Gholami A⁵ Show Affiliations
Source: Tropical Medicine and Health Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Plasmodium falciparum represents the most prevalent and lethal protozoan responsible for malaria in humans. This investigation aims to synthesize iron nanoparticles utilizing the polyethylene glycol (PEG) synthesis approach with an Eriobotrya japonica leaves extract and investigating its anti- P. falciparum activity in the in vitro environment in combination with nicotinamide and comparing its effect with chloroquine. Methods: Iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using Eriobotrya japonica leaf extract through a green synthesis method. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were analyzed using DLS, FESEM, FTIR, XRD, and MTT assays. During the initial phase, varying concentrations of Japanese parsnip leaf extract, nicotinamide, iron nanoparticles synthesized through the PEGylated green synthesis technique, and chloroquine (as a control pharmacological agent) were individually administered to the culture medium of P. falciparum 3D7. Subsequently, the synergistic IC50 effects of these compounds were evaluated in relation to one another using the FIX RATIO methodology applied to the culture medium. Results: The DLS evaluation of iron oxide nanoparticles showed an average hydrodynamic size of 155 nm. The XRD examination exhibited the crystallinity of the particles. SEM images recognized the spherical nature of synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The relative combination of plant extract–nicotinamide had a synergistic effect and the best dose was observed in 70% plant extract–30% nicotinamide, resulting in a 70% reduction in parasitic load. The most pronounced growth-inhibitory effect was observed in the formulation comprising 50% PEGylated green synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles and 50% nicotinamide, yielding a 73% inhibition rate. Conclusions: The presence of a synergistic effect was evident across all combinations of plant extract–nicotinamide and iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized through the PEGylated green synthesis approach. Furthermore, the methodologies of green synthesis and PEGylation of iron oxide nanoparticles are deemed effective strategies for enhancing stability, minimizing toxicity, reducing particle size, and facilitating improved precision and efficacy in the application of these entities within biomedical research contexts. © The Author(s) 2025.