Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as a Promising Nanomedicine Approach for Anticancer, Antibacterial, and Anti-Inflammatory Therapies

Clove bud extract-zinc oxide nanoparticles (CBE-ZnO-NPs) were synthesized and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses to confirm their size, morphology, elemental composition, and surface properties. The anticancer efficacy was tested against tongue carcinoma (HNO-97) cells using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Antibacterial activity was assessed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Bacillus cereus , while anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated using a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7).

The SEM analysis confirmed a non-uniform shape of ZnO-NPs, while FTIR revealed functional groups responsible for stabilization and bioactivity. DLS measurements indicated an average particle size of 249.8 nm with a zeta potential of − 3.38 mV, ensuring moderate colloidal stability. BET analysis demonstrated a high porosity (30.039 m²/g) and a mean particle size of 19.52 nm. CBE-ZnO-NPs exhibited moderate anticancer activity against tongue carcinoma cells (IC 50 > 100 μg/mL), potent antibacterial activity (MIC = 62.5– 125 μg/mL), and anti-inflammatory effects (IC 50 = 69.3 μg/mL).