Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and their evaluations as anti-diabetic, cytotoxic and antibacterial agent

In recent years, there has been significant interest in the eco-friendly production of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using plant extracts and their potential applications. This study presents a green synthesis method for producing ZnO NPs from Dodonaea viscosa leaf extract. The crystalline phase, morphology, and surface area of the synthesized sample were characterized using FTIR for functional group analysis, XRD for crystal structure determination, and SEM and TEM for surface morphology evaluation. The NPs were then tested for anti-diabetic, cytotoxic, and antibacterial properties. The highest α-amylase enzyme inhibition (30.8%) was observed at the highest concentration of 200 mg/mL, while no inhibition was detected at the lowest concentration of 5 mg/mL. Similarly, the cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs was measured at 21.8% for a concentration of 200 μg/mL, with no hemolysis observed at doses below 5 μg/mL. Additionally, the ZnO NPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species.