Characterization, antifungal and cytotoxic evaluation of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using Ziziphus nummularia leaf extract

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using Ziziphus nummularia leaf extract. The characterization was done by various spectral analysis and antifungal (anti-candidal) activity against multidrug resistant clinical isolates and their cytotoxic potential was evaluated. The ZnO NPs were 17.33 nm in size and were spherical/irregular in shape. The antifungal activity of ZnO NPs was better than four standard azole antibiotics and they also showed potent cytotoxic effect against HeLa cancer cell line. The results strongly suggest the applicability of green synthesized ZnO NPs as antifungal agent and also its use in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords:

• Zinc oxide nanoparticles
• green synthesis
• Ziziphus nummularia
• antifungal activity
• cytotoxic activity

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Department of Biosciences (UGC-CAS) for providing excellent research facilities.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Funding

One of the authors Ms. Hemali Padalia is thankful to UGC-CAS, New Delhi, for providing Junior Research Fellowship.