The Effect of Chitosan-Silver Nanoparticles (Chi-AgNPs) Synthesized Using Clinacanthus nutans Extract on the Viability of MC3T3-E1 Preosteoblast Cells In Vitro

Sinta Candra Wardani (Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Brawijaya)
Muhammad Farand Sheva Rozano (Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Brawijaya)
Ariyati Retno Pratiwi (Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Brawijaya)
Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah (Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia)
Rosnah Nawang (Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Universiti Putra Malaysia)

ODONTO Dental Journal
Vol 13, No 1 (2026): April 2026

Background: Chi-AgNPs (chitosan–silver nanoparticles) are antibacterial biomaterials with good biocompatibility potential, but their toxicity to osteoblastic cells still needs to be studied. This study aims to analyze the effect of Chi-AgNPs synthesized using Clinacanthus nutans extract on the viability of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells at several concentrations to determine the safe concentration limit for their use.Method:  This laboratory experimental study used MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to Chi-AgNPs at concentrations of 12.5 µg/mL, 25 µg/mL, and 50 µg/mL, with a control group as a comparison. Cell viability was measured using the WST assay after 24 hours of incubation, then analyzed using the ANOVA test to see the differences between groups. Result: The results showed that a concentration of 12.5 µg/mL increased the average viability value by 30.8%, while a concentration of 25 µg/mL did not show a significant difference in cell viability compared to the control. Conversely, a concentration of 50 µg/mL caused a significant decrease in viability (p < 0.05), indicating toxicity related to the release of Ag⁺ ions and increased oxidative stress due to the small size of the nanoparticles (20 ± 3.93 nm). Conclusion: Chi-AgNPs are safe and biocompatible with MC3T3-E1 cells at concentrations below 25 µg/mL