The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was accomplished using Syzygium cumini fruit extract at room temperature. Various techniques were used to characterize the newly synthesized silver nanopartides and their size was determined to be 10-15 nm. Important findings of this study were the identification of biomolecules responsible for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and elucidate the mechanism of biosynthesis. Flavonoids present in S. cumini were mainly responsible for the reduction and the stabilization of nanoparticles. The antioxidant properties of AgNPs were evaluated using various assays. The nanoparticles were also found to destroy Dalton lymphoma cell lines under in vitro condition. Silver nanoparticles (100 mu g/mL) decreased the viability of Dalton lymphoma (DL) cell lines up to 50%. The studies describing the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by fruit extract followed by the investigation of synthesis mechanism and anti-cancer activities may be useful for nanobiotechnology research opening a new arena in this field. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.