Rhamnella gilgitica functionalized green synthesis of ZnONPs and their multiple therapeutic properties

Abstract In the recent years, green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using plant extracts and phytochemicals has gained significant attention. In present research study, facile, green, and tunable ZnONPs were biosynthesized from Rhamnella gilgitica leaf aqueous extract as a strong reducing and stabilizing agents. The prepared ZnONPs@Rhamnella were characterized and validated using common nanotechnology techniques (UV–Vis, XRD, EDX, FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, DLS, and Raman) and revealed spherical morphology with particle size ~21 nm. The asynthesized ZnONPs were further evaluated for different biological applications. Strong antimicrobial efficacies were reported for ZnONPs using disc‐diffusion method and were capable of rendering significant antimicrobial potential. ZnONPs were evaluated against HepG2 (IC 50 : 18.40 μg/ml) and HUH7 (IC 50 : 20.59 μg/ml) cancer cell lines and revealed strong anticancer properties. Dose‐dependent MTT cytotoxicity assay was confirmed using Leishmania tropica “KWH23 strain” (promastigote: IC 50 : 26.78 μg/ml and amastigote: IC 50 : 29.57 μg/ml). Antioxidant activities (DPPH: 93.36%, TAC: 72.43%) were performed to evaluate their antioxidant potentials. Further, protein kinase and α‐amylase inhibition assays were determined. Biocompatibility assays were done using human RBCs and macrophages thus revealed biosafe and non‐toxic nature of ZnONPs@Rhamnella. In current experiment, we concluded that greenly orchestrated ZnONPs is an attractive, non‐toxic and ecofriendly candidate and showed potential biological activities. In future, different clinical trials and in vivo studies are necessary for the confirmation of these remedial properties of ZnONPs using different animal models. Research Highlights Greenly orchestrated ZnONPs were synthesized using Rhamnella gilgitica leaves broth. Analytical techniques such as UV, SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, DLS, and Raman confirmed synthesis of ZnONPs. Green ZnONPs determined strong antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant potentials. Significant enzyme inhibition and biocompatibility assays were investigated.