Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Curcumin and Evaluation of its Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxicity

Biocompatibility and stability of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized using plants due to their wide applications in biomedical, industrial, cell imaging and biosensors is an interesting research field in the arena of nanotechnology. The present study involved the synthesis of green stable zinc oxide nanoparticles using zinc acetate and aqueous extract of turmeric as a reducing agent. In this characterization study, the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the synthesized nanoparticles were investigated by different methods. First, nanoparticles were synthesized by green method and the properties of synthesized nanoparticles were investigated using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Assessment of antioxidant activity was performed using DPPH free radical scavenging and cytotoxicity activity in fibroblasts by MTT method. The involvement of the bioactive compounds of curcumin in the stabilization of zinc oxide nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR. FESEM electron microscopy showed irregular spherical, rod, and plate-like morphology with uneven surface. Antioxidant activities performed using the free radical scavenging method DPPH showed IC50 values ​​higher than 500 μg/ ml. In addition, biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles showed significant toxic effects on fibroblasts in a concentration and time dependent manner. In general, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized through a sustainable, simple, and environmentally friendly green pathway using curcumin. Biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles showed antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity.