Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite for In Vitro Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential of Dolichandrone falcata (Wall. ex DC.) Seem. Leaf Extracts

Abstract

In this study Chitosan- Zinc oxide nanocomposite (CS-ZnO NCs) was green synthesised using Dolichandrone falcata aqueous leaf extract. The synthesized CS-ZnO NCs were characterized using UV (Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray Diffraction), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) with EDAX (Energy-Dispersive X-ray) and DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering). The formation of CS-ZnO NCs was confirmed by the absorbance peak of 327 nm. XRD analysis revealed hexagonal structure of NCs with crystalline size of 25 nm. Synthesized NCs shows the functional groups such as alcohol, amine, alkene, sulfoxide, nitro and halo compounds. SEM analysis revealed the aggregated spherical in shape of NCs. The particle size of the synthesized NCs is 54 nm. Moreover, the nanocomposites (NCs) displayed strong antioxidant activity against DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), H₂O₂ (Hydrogen peroxide) and Metal chelating activity assays at 250 µg/mL concentration. The antibacterial properties of the CS-ZnO NCs were assessed using disc diffusion method, revealing the highest zone of inhibition on Gram positive strains. The synthesized CS-ZnO NCs showed potent anti-inflammatory activity on albumin denaturation. Additionally, NCs exhibited significant anticancer properties against skin cancer cell line A431 with IC₅₀ value of 50.00 µg/mL. Based on our findings, biologically synthesized nanocomposites (NCs) demonstrate significant potential for various biomedical applications.