Pharmaceutical properties for green fabricated ZnO and Ag nanoparticle-mediated <i>Borago officinalis</i> : <i>In silico</i> predications study

Abstract In this study, Borago officinalis flower extract was performed for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Zinc Oxide (ZnONPs). The plant extract played essential roles as a stabilising and reducing agent. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the pharmaceutical applications for green fabricated ZnO NPs and Ag NPs such as antibacterial, antibiofilm properties, antioxidant, and anticancer activity. The resulting nanoparticles were characterised using ultraviolet (UV)–visible, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses. The findings revealed the formation of spherical Ag NPs (33–41 nm) and ZnO NPs (59–80 nm) with the cubic structure of Ag NPs and the hexagonal structure of ZnO NPs. The antibacterial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli using the agar well diffusion method. The antibiofilm potential was evaluated using a crystal violet assay, revealing that ZnO NPs demonstrated slightly superior antibiofilm activity compared to Ag NPs, particularly against K. pneumoniae . The enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm activities are attributed to the nanoparticles, ability to generate reactive oxygen species and their improved physical interactions with bacterial cells. The cytotoxic effects of prepared NPs against colon cancer cells HT-29 were investigated. The cytotoxicity assay confirmed that the prepared NPs were selectively toxic in cancer cells. Our results showed that the prepared NPs had antioxidant activity when using the DPPH assay. The results improved the potential properties of green synthesised Ag NPs and ZnO NPs as effective antimicrobial agents and prevent biofilm-formation-associated infections. Taken together, the results highlighted the viability of utilising B. officinalis in the eco-friendly biosynthesis of nanoparticles for the application of biomedical.