Current Research on Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have piqued the curiosity of researchers all over the world due to their extensive biological activity. They are less toxic and biodegradable with the capacity to greatly boost pharmacophore bioactivity. ZnO-NPs are the most extensively used metal oxide nanoparticles in electronic and optoelectronics because of their distinctive optical and chemical properties which can be readily modified by altering the morphology and the wide bandgap. The biosynthesis of nanoparticles using extracts of therapeutic plants, fungi, bacteria, algae, etc., improves their stability and biocompatibility in many biological settings, and its biofabrication alters its physiochemical behavior, contributing to biological potency. As such, ZnO-NPs can be used as an effective nanocarrier for conventional drugs due to their cost-effectiveness and benefits of being biodegradable and biocompatible. This article covers a comprehensive review of different synthesis approaches of ZnO-NPs including physical, chemical, biochemical, and green synthesis techniques, and also emphasizes their biopotency through antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiviral, wound healing, and cardioprotective activity. Green synthesis from plants, bacteria, and fungus is given special attention, with a particular emphasis on extraction techniques, precursors used for the synthesis and reaction conditions, characterization techniques, and surface morphology of the particles.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles reduce biofilm formation, synergize antibiotics action and attenuate Staphylococcus aureus virulence in host; an important message to clinicians

“…Mechanism of ZnO-NPs underlying this effect may be due to production of ROS that damage bacterial cells, interference with biofilm integrity by interrupting exopolysaccharide synthesis that plays a crucial role in development of a complex biofilm [ 44 ]. Moreover, interruption of bacterial energy transduction and enzyme activity as well as bacterial DNA synthesis by ZnO-NPs could lead to enhanced bacterial clearance during wound healing and make bacterial cells more susceptible to antibiotic treatment [ 45 ].…”

Immune response differences in degradable and non-degradable alloy implants

“… Significant number of macrophages and lymphocytes in the pocket wall [ 8 ]. Nitrated-Fe Higher number of macrophages and plasma cells compared with Co–Cr alloy [ 163 ]. …”

“…Also, the release of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) is a potential anti-inflammatory agent, decreasing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines at the mRNA level. ZnO-NPs inhibit the expression of myeloperoxidase, the NF-κβ pathway, and mast cell degranulation which again help in inflammation reduction [ 163 ]. In another study, Hussein et, al.…”

Dietary Transfer of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Induces Locomotive Defects Associated with GABAergic Motor Neuron Damage in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), with a global production of approximately 550–33,400 tons, are one of the most widely used ENPs in the electrical and manufacturing industries and personal care products [ 3 , 4 ]. In addition, due to their biocompatibility and cost-effectiveness, ZnO-NPs have been increasingly used in the biomedical field, such as in antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidiabetic, and wound healing applications [ 5 ]. These advantages have also resulted in the growing usage of ZnO-NPs in dentistry [ 6 ].…”