Green Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Ocimum basilicum seed extract: characterization and evaluation of antioxidant and antidiabetic activities

The green synthesis of zinc nanoparticles using plant extract is utilized for its potential biological application and development of novel therapeutics. The biological method of nanoparticle synthesis has gained attention due to its therapeutic applications. This study aimed for the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using an ethanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum seeds and to characterize and to evaluate antioxidant and antidiabetic activity in in-vitro. The ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and SEM measurements. The synthesized ZnO NPs possess hexagonal and alkyl chloride compounds that exhibit cubically close-packed crystal structures. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids and phenol. The percentage of inhibition for amylase and glucosidase was higher in O.basilicum ZnO NPs. It was found to be 76.10 ±0.83% in amylase and 70.68±0.83 % in the glucosidase inhibition assay. The present study results also showed that synthesized zinc nanoparticles possess antioxidant properties by scavenging the superoxide anion. It concluded that the ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using O.basilicum extract displayed remarkable antioxidant and antidiabetic activities and could be used for therapeutics.