Biosynthesis of Gelatin-coated Zinc oxide nanocomposite from Coccinia indica extract and its antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer and wound-healing properties

Abstract

This present study deals with the synthesis of gelatin-loaded zinc oxide nanocomposites (GN/ZnONCs) using Coccinia indica seed extract using the green preparative method. Synthesized GN/ZnONCs were confirmed by using various characterization techniques for chemical and physical properties. The results of the UV-Vis spectral absorption peak showed 182 nm, and the FTIR study has confirmed the presence of various functional groups. The XRD study illustrated the crystalline structure of GN/ZnONCs. The DLS measurement indicated a stable size of 189.18 nm, with a zeta potential value demonstrating high stability at −30 mV. SEM images displayed the morphology of cauliflower-like spherical shapes and revealed their average particle size, respectively. The 100 µg/mL concentration of GN/ZnONCs exhibited higher antibacterial efficiencies against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Subsequently, the GN/ZnONCs also exhibited excellent antioxidant properties in the DPPH assay (92.61 ± 2.45%), the ABTS assay (76.35 ± 1.54%), and the hydroxyl scavenging assay (88.42 ± 1.73%) at 100 μg/ml concentration. In addition, GN/ZnONCs treatment on the cancer cell line HT-29 showed good anticancer activity with an IC50 value of 45.4 μg/mL. Furthermore, wound healing experiments with enriched GN/ZnONCs with the highest contraction of 98.37 ± 1.45 confirmed faster wound healing and a greater role in the formation of new tissues and cells. The study indicates that green synthesized GN/ZnONCs had anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, and wound healing properties that were also eco-friendly and cost-effective, and the possible mechanisms were illustrated for biomedical applications.