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Abstract
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were prepared by precipitation and sonochemical method of preparation to explore the possible anthelmintic activity of ZnO NPs against Pheretima posthuma (P. posthuma). The enhancement of such activity was achieved by the modification of ZnO NPs preparing Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO:Ag NPs). All synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). XRD patterns of pure ZnO exhibited the characteristic peaks of hexagonal wurtzite structure, showing maximum diffraction from (110) crystal planes. In addition, the morphology of the NPs growth of 2 % Ag doped ZnO NPs was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, the actual particle sizes for ZnO and ZnO:Ag NPs were confirmed from the UV-visible absorption spectra and the size of the particle is around 4 nm which is prominent for the enhancement of biomedical application. The anthelmintic assays were carried out as per the traditional method with minor modifications to prepare different concentrations (10-40 mg/ml CMC Solution) separately. All nanoparticles showed different degrees of anthelmintic activity against P. posthuma. ZnO:Ag (4 %) NPs showed the highest anthelmintic activity compared to all other prepared ZnO NPs including Albendazole (Alben DS 400 mg) which is a familiar medicine for parasitic worms infestation. The remarkable anthelmintic activity was of all prepared ZnO and ZnO:Ag NPs with the smallest size (< 4 nm) may work as potential alternatives in biomedical applications like human Parasite Cleanse.