In the present study, we first time reported the formation of GNPs by the reduction of aqueous gold metal ions during exposure to seaweed, Padina boergesenii extract and its α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity. The gold nanoparticles obtained were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum analysis. Formation of gold nanoparticles was confirmed by using energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). High Resolution Transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements indicated that the newly formed nanoparticles were polydispersed with spherical, triangular, tetragonal, pentagonal, and hexagonal and rod shapes. Furthermore the green synthesized GNPs were found to be potent inhibitors of α-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 24 µg/ml. This study supports that the green synthesized GNPs from brown seaweed, Padina boergesenii exhibited inhibitory activity on the alpha glucosidase, thus suggesting that green synthesized GNPs might be useful in the treatment to limit dietary fat and glucose absorption and the accumulation of fat in adipose tissue. Further, this study supports its usage in nanomedicines for management of diabetes.
