Biogenic Synthesis and Characterization of Antimicrobial and Antiparasitic Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Extracts of the Himalayan Columbine (Aquilegia pubiflora)

Abstract

Herein, we report a facile, economic, one-pot green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) for diverse biomedical applications. In the study, ZnO-NPs were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Aquilegia pubiflora as an effective reducing and capping agent. The biomediated nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, Dynamic light scattering, photoluminescence, and RAMAN. The particles were highly pure, having an average size of 34.23 nm with spherical or elliptical morphology, and displayed good aqueous dispersion capability. FTIR and HPLC confirmed the successful capping of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. The characterized NPs were then explored for their antimicrobial and anti-leishmanial potential. Among the tested bacterial and fungal strains, ZnO-NPs were more potent toward Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Fusarium solani with inhibition zone of 10.3 ± 0.19 mm and 13 ± 1.4 mm, respectively. A dose-dependent cytotoxic effect was observed against Leishmania tropica (KWH23) with significant IC 50 for both the promastigote (48 µg/mL) and amastigote form (51 µg/mL) of the parasite. In addition, bacterial kinase enzymes were inhibited by ZnO-NPs, thus allowing us to elaborate a possible action mechanism. Finally, the remarkable biocompatible nature of the particles was confirmed against freshly isolated human red blood cells (hRBCs). Altogether, these results affirmed the high antimicrobial and antiparasitic potential of ZnO-NPs obtained through a biogenic synthetic approach using aqueous extract of the Himalayan Columbine (Aquilegia pubiflora).

Green Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Leaf Extract of Carissa carandas L. and Their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

“…When using a plant extract during green biosynthesis of AgNPs, flavonoids can cap the AgNPs and thus increase their antioxidant activity [ 10 , 11 ]. Higher antioxidant activity of AgNPs was also reported in many plant-based synthesized AgNPs [ 7 , 12 ]. In agreement with our observation, the antioxidant power of AgNPs is known to vary with the concentration applied [ 44 ].…”

“…Nanotechnology deals with the synthesis, development and applications of a variety of NPs. Generally, nanoparticles are prepared using noble metals such as gold, silver, platinum etc., through a variety of chemical and physical methods [ 8 , 9 ], but these methods are not eco-friendly [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. There is an urgency to develop an eco-friendly process for the nanoparticle synthesis that does not employ toxic chemicals.…”

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Fruit Extracts of Myristica fragrans: Their Characterizations and Biological and Environmental Applications

“…When the reaction is carried out between Zn(NO 3 ) 2 ·2H 2 O and M. fragrans , the color of the mixture changes from light brown to dark gray, which confirms the formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). 28 After subsequent steps of washing, drying, grinding, and calcination, white powder of ZnO-NPs was obtained. The fine powder collected was stored in an airtight glass vial, labeled as ZnO-NPs, at room temperature for physicochemical and morphological characterizations and biological applications.…”

“…The annealed powder was stored in an airtight glass vial, labeled as ZnO-NPs, and was further used for physical characterizations and biological applications. 28 …”

Recent Advances in Zinc Oxide Nanostructures with Antimicrobial Activities

“…Similarly, green ZnO NPs (26.55 nm) biosynthesized from aqueous zin acetate and Costus igneus leaf extract were biocompatible with goat Jan et al treated human erythrocytes with green ZnO NPs (19.58 nm); ZnO NPs were biosynthesized from zinc acetate dihydrate and leaf extract of Aquilegia pubiflora acting as an effective reducing and capping agent. The leaf extract contained several medicinal phytochemicals including flavonoids (orientin, isoorientin, isovitexin and vitexin), and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (ferulic acid, coumaric acid, and sinapic acid) [329]. The hemolytic activity of green ZnO NPs at doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/mL was reported to be 0.48 ± 0.23%, 0.73 ± 0.1%, 1.05 ± 0.12% and 1.24 ± 0.14%, respectively.…”