Green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles from Bauhinia purpurea fruit waste with potent antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities

Abstract

The present study focusses on the production of ZnO nanoparticles from B. purpurea fruit waste extract, as well as their physicochemical properties and biological activities such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxicity.The successful synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles was demonstrated by UV–Vis absorption at ~ 370 nm, FTIR with functional groups like phenols and amides, and XRD patterns of amorphous structures. The SEM and EDX investigations revealed irregular, flake-shaped nanoparticles (98–102 nm) and HRTEM (43 nm) of elemental purity. The nanoparticles showed robust, dose-dependent antioxidant activities in DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, nitric oxide, and H₂O₂ tests. Significant inhibition of α-amylase and β-glucosidase was found to have antidiabetic action. Anti-inflammatory activity was validated by BSA and egg albumin denaturation tests, as well as membrane stabilisation, with results comparable to reference medicines. The brine shrimp lethality experiment demonstrated minimal toxicity and great biocompatibility. The study confirms that green synthesis using B. purpurea is a highly effective, sustainable method for producing ZnO NPs with excellent antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties while causing little cytotoxicity and to inhibit cervical cancer cell growth effectively. The findings suggest biological implications, notably in the regulation of oxidative stress and diabetes. Additional in vivo and clinical experiments are necessary to determine therapeutic uses.