Enhancement in Ct-DNA binding affinity and antimicrobial activity of ZnO nanoparticles via Ag-doping

Developing multifunctional nanomaterials with improved antibacterial properties and reliable biocompatibility is an essential issue in biomedical research to address the increasing concern of antibiotic resistance. Ag-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using a green and eco-friendly route using hibiscus flower extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The nanoparticles were synthesized successfully and characterized through FT-IR, TEM, EDX, and UV-Vis analysis. The bactericidal action potential was tested against E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, Lactobacillus, and C. albicans pathogens using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Ag-doped ZnO NPs were observed to have superior inhibition action against E. coli compared to pristine ZnO NPs. The interactions of ZnO and Ag-ZnO NPs towards calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) were examined spectroscopically using absorption and fluorescence studies. It was observed that Ag-doped ZnO NPs showed a greater interaction with ct-DNA than pristine ZnO NPs. Thus, we conclude that biosynthesized Ag-ZnO NPs are multifunctional nanomaterials with good antibacterial action, an improved ability to bind to DNA, and better biocompatibility for future biomedical applications.