Antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity potentials of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Helichrysum cymosum
Achasih Quinta Nkemzi, Kunle Okaiyeto, Omolola R. Oyenihi, Chinyerum S. Opuwari, Okobi E. Ekpo, Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju
Abstract
Abstract The current research involved the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using an aqueous extract of Helichrysum cymosum shoots, and subsequent characterization via different analytical methods, such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), and zeta potential. The biological effects of the ZnO-NPs were then tested against C3A hepatocyte cells and L6 myocyte cell lines via series of analysis, including cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effect via enzymatic inhibition. The UV–Vis analysis showed a maximum absorption spectrum at 360, and the TEM analysis reveals a spherical and hexagonal structures, with an average dimension of 28.05–58.3 nm, and the XRD reveals a crystalline hexagonal structure. The zeta potential evaluation indicated that the ZnO-NPs are relatively stable at − 20 mV, and the FTIR analysis identified some important functional group associated with phenolics, carboxylic acid, and amides that are responsible for reducing and stabilizing the ZnO-NPs. The synthesized ZnO-NPs demonstrated cytotoxic effects on the cell lines at higher concentrations (125 µg/mL and 250 µg/mL), complicating the interpretation of the results of the inflammatory and antioxidant assays. However, there was a significant ( p < 0.05) increase in the inhibitions of pancreatic lipase, alpha-glucosidase, and alpha-amylase, indicating beneficial antidiabetic effects.