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Multifunctional zinc oxide nanoparticles: investigating antifungal, cytotoxic, and oxidative properties

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Abstract

In this research endeavor, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized employing a sol–gel process, using a zinc nitrate salt, followed by calcination at 600 °C, to yield a final product in the form of a white powder. Characterization of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles was accomplished using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern analysis, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles against the SW480 colorectal cancer cell line was investigated using the Resazurin cell viability assay. Oxidative activity assessment involved reactive oxygen species measurement, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) tests. Additionally, the antifungal effects against Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus were evaluated, and minimum inhibitory concentration values at 50% and 90% inhibition were determined.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

  • Nanotechnology is the scientific study and manipulation of materials at the molecular scale.

  • Zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibit unique properties with significant potential in various medical and basic science applications.

  • Zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibit cytotoxicity against SW480 colorectal cancer cell lines, indicating their potential as anticancer agents.

  • Zinc oxide nanoparticles enhance the production of oxygen free radicals within cancer cells, further supporting their anticancer properties.

  • Zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibit notable antifungal properties, effectively combating pathogenic fungi like C. albicans and A. flavus.

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Data Availability

The authors of this article will share all the data underlying the findings of their manuscripts with other researchers. Therefore, I hereby declare the statement of “availability” for the data used in this manuscript. researchers can communicate with the first author and the corresponding authors for the data by email.

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Funding

The project was financially supported by the research council of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Grant number: 981427).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Hossein Javid, Hamed Amiri & Seyed Isaac Hashemy

  2. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Hossein Javid

  3. Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Hossein Javid & Seyed Isaac Hashemy

  4. Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Seyedeh Fatemeh Hashemi & Amirali Reihani

  5. Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Ali Mehri

Authors
  1. Hossein Javid
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  2. Hamed Amiri
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  3. Seyedeh Fatemeh Hashemi
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  4. Amirali Reihani
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  5. Ali Mehri
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  6. Seyed Isaac Hashemy
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Contributions

Hamed Amiri, Hossein Javid, Seyedeh Fatemeh Hashemi, Amirali Reihani conceived and planned the experiments and was involved in the management of the cases. Hossein Javid and Seyedeh Fatemeh Hashemi, Amirali Reihani carried out the experiments. Hossein Javid analyzed the data. Hamed Amiri and Ali Mehri wrote the initial manuscript. Seyed Isaac Hashemy assisted in writing the revised manuscript. All authors approved the final version for submission.

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Correspondence to Seyed Isaac Hashemy.

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Javid, H., Amiri, H., Hashemi, S.F. et al. Multifunctional zinc oxide nanoparticles: investigating antifungal, cytotoxic, and oxidative properties. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-024-06531-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-024-06531-5

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