Phytochemical Screening, Proximate Analysis and Phyto-synthesis of Zinc Oxide Metallic Nanoparticles from the Leaf of Abutilon persicum (Burm. F.) Merr. and their Biological Applications

Aims: The Study highlights that Plant-mediated Zinc oxide nanoparticles provide an eco-conscious method for the biosynthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles from the aqueous leaf extract of Abutilon persicum (Malvaceae). These NPs show their relevance for future drug delivery systems, biomedical research, and disease treatment strategies. Study Design: Green synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was done from the plant Abutilon persicum leaf extracts by a bottom-up approach. Place and Duration of Study: Sample collected from Jambooti village near Belgavi, research work carried out in the Department of Studies in Botany, Davangere University, Davangere- 577007. Characterization was carried out in USIC, Karnataka University, Dharwad, duration of work is November 2023 to December 2024. Methodology: The proximate composition determines the nutritional value, and GC-MS analysis of volatile compounds was reported. The ZnO NPs were characterized by using UV, FTIR, EDX, XRD, ZETA potential, SEM, DLS, TEM, respectively, and to determine the biological applications like Anti-oxidant activity DPPH, anti-microbial activities against pathogenic strains Staphylococcus aureus & Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Anti-fungal strains were Aspergillus flavus & Pichia anomala, and for anti-diabetic activity (alpha glucosidase), in case of Anti-cancer activity, MTT assay was performed. Results: UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, EDX, XRD, SEM, DLS, and TEM confirm the stability, structural integrity, and functional properties. The UV-visible spectroscopic analysis reveals a surface plasmon resonance at 300 nm, indicating successful nanoparticle formation. FTIR analysis identifies functional groups such as alcohols, carboxylic acids, amine salts, isothiocyanates, aromatic compounds, conjugated alkenes, aldehydes, and halo compounds, which contribute to the nanoparticle’s physicochemical properties. XRD analysis confirms their crystalline nature, with 2θ values ranging from 26.2° to 84.0°, validating their phase purity and morphology. Additionally, EDX elemental analysis quantifies the composition as Zinc (27%), Carbon (16.1%), and Oxygen (34.6%). SEM analysis reveals a spherical morphology with an average nanoparticle size of 8.8 nm, while Zeta potential analysis records a value of +40 mV, indicating strong colloidal stability. DLS and TEM further establish the nanoparticles' size distribution and structural uniformity. The biological applications of ZnO NPs are extensive, demonstrating antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. Their DPPH assay (106.65 ± 7.24 µg/ml) confirms robust antioxidant activity, supporting their application in oxidative stress management. Their antimicrobial effectiveness is demonstrated against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (bacterial strains) and Aspergillus flavus and Pichia anomala (fungal strains), suggesting a broad-spectrum defense mechanism. Additionally, ZnO NPs exhibit significant antidiabetic activity (62.14 ± 3.04 µg/ml), making them promising agents for metabolic disorder management. Their anticancer properties have been validated in MCF-7 breast cancer (72.83 µg/ml) and HeLa cervical cancer (29.67 µg/ml) cell lines, highlighting their potential in nanomedicine. This study reinforces plant-mediated ZnO NPs as a viable alternative therapeutic platform for biomedical applications. The combination of green synthesis, strong physicochemical characterization, and potent bioactivities Conclusion: It is concluded that the Abutilon persicum plant mediated ZnO NPs offers a possible therapeutic avenue for biomedical applications, by emphasizing their potential in biological activity, and their significant results, so ZnO NPs are an alternative therapeutic for Nanomedicines.