Nanocomposites of ZnO/CuO/Se synthesized by Schinus terebinthifolia biomass and their antioxidant, cytotoxicity, anti-H. pylori, and anti-obesity properties

A watery extract of Schinus terebinthifolia leaves was used as the source for producing a nanocomposite of ZnO/CuO/Se (NC ZnO/CuO/Se). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy-energy were employed to characterize NC ZnO/CuO/Se. Based on the TEM investigation, the nanoparticles had an average size between 40.9 and 50.2 nm. NC ZnO/CuO/Se had potent anti-H. pylori activity, as evidenced by a zone of inhibition of 34.3 mm. The NC ZnO/CuO/Se successfully inhibited H. pylori (MIC = 15.6 μg/mL) and showed better antimicrobial activity in comparison with the control. At 75% of MBC, it dramatically decreased the production of bacterial biofilms (91.1% inhibition). High antioxidant qualities were demonstrated by the NC ZnO/CuO/Se (> 88% in the DPPH assay). It demonstrated outstanding enzyme inhibition capacity against lipase, with an IC50 of 41.66 ug/mL. The IC50 value of NC ZnO/CuO/Se against normal cell lines (WI38) was 593.08 ± 2.35 µg mL–1, which is a high dose. From the overall results, NC ZnO/CuO/Se exhibited favorable biological effects in vitro as a wide-spectrum treatment for various medical uses.