Zinc nanoparticles green-synthesized by Alhagi maurorum leaf aqueous extract: Chemical characterization and cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and anti-osteosarcoma effects

Abstract In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized in an aqueous medium using the plant extract as stabilizing and reducing agents. The synthesized ZnONPs were characterized using different techniques including Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS). According to the XRD analysis, 21.46 was measured for ZnONPs crystal size. SEM images exhibited a uniform spherical morphology in size of 27.92 nm for the biosynthesized nanoparticles respectively.For evaluating anti-osteosarcoma and cytotoxicity effects of ZnONPs, Zn(NO3)2 .6H2O, and Alhagi maurorum aqueous extract, we used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The result of this test showed that ZnONPs have no cytotoxicity on normal cell line (Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)) and have potent anti-osteosarcoma features dose-dependently against G-292, clone A141B1, MG-63, HOS, Hs 707(A).T, and Saos-2 cell lines. For evaluating the antioxidant features of ZnONPs, Zn(NO3)2 .6H2O, and Alhagi maurorum aqueous extract, we used the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, in this test butylated hydroxytoluene was a positive control, the results of this test showed that the ZnONPs have an effective antioxidant feature. Probably, potent anti-human osteosarcoma activities of ZnONPs formulated with Alhagi maurorum aqueous seed extract because of antioxidant properties.