Green mycosynthesis of small-sized silver nanoparticles (ss-AgNPs) from endophytic Fusarium solani and their multi-target biomedical profiles

The present work focuses on the mycosynthesis, physicochemical profiling and biological evaluation of small-sized silver nanoparticles (ss-AgNPs) synthesized through a fungal-mediated green approach using endophytic Fusarium solani . The UV–Visible spectrum exhibited a distinct surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 499 nm, indicating the successful reduction of Ag⁺ ions to Ag 0 , while XRD and TEM analyses revealed crystalline, spherical ss-AgNPs with an average particle size of 6.13 nm and a face-centered cubic (fcc) crystalline structure. FTIR spectra indicated the contribution of biomolecules containing functional groups such as amine, hydroxyl and carbonyl groups as reducing and stabilizing agents. The zeta potential (− 6.9 mV) suggests moderate colloidal stability. Biologically, the ss-AgNPs demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, significant anti-biofilm inhibition (up to 73.53%), potent antioxidant potential (IC 50 = 35.85 µg/mL), and strong anti-inflammatory activity in protein denaturation (IC 50 = 22.90 µg/mL). The nanoparticles also exhibited marked cytotoxicity against A549 lung cancer cells (IC 50 ≈ 25–50 µg/mL) and moderate α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC 50 = 93.82 µg/mL), suggesting anti-diabetic potential. These findings confirm that fungal-mediated synthesis is a sustainable, eco-friendly, and efficient method for producing multifunctional ss-AgNPs with diverse biomedical applications in antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer therapeutics.