Green-engineered synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using Musa paradisiaca: evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperglycemic activities.

The objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Musa paradisiaca leaf extract, an underexplored phytochemical resource for green nanobiotechnology. The biosynthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and zeta potential measurements, confirming their semi-crystalline nature, colloidal stability, and phytochemical capping. Biological evaluations demonstrated strong, dose-dependent activities: antioxidant effects in DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, H₂O₂, and nitric oxide assays; significant antidiabetic potential through inhibition of α-amylase and β-glucosidase; and anti-inflammatory activity validated by BSA, egg albumin, and HRBC membrane stabilization models. Cytotoxicity testing using the brine shrimp lethality assay indicated a low toxicity profile, suggesting good biocompatibility. Together, these findings highlight M. paradisiaca-derived ZnO NPs as a sustainable, multifunctional nanoplatform with promise for managing oxidative stress-related conditions such as diabetes and inflammation. At the same time, limitations must be acknowledged, as the present data are based on in vitro assays. Future studies should focus on in vivo validation, mechanistic investigations, and clinical translation. Beyond biomedicine, these nanoparticles may also hold potential for applications in food preservation, packaging, and environmental remediation.