Recent development in plant-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles with biomedical applications

Abstract

Nanotechnology has emerged as a pivotal field in materials science, fostering innovations and advancements across numerous applications. Among nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have garnered significant interest due to their exceptional physicochemical properties, including high exciton-binding energy, wide band gap, biocompatibility, and unique antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This review highlights the synthesis, structural features, and biomedical applications of ZnO NPs, emphasizing eco-friendly green synthesis methods. These methods leverage biological agents such as plant extracts, fungi, and bacteria, ensuring sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally benign nanoparticle production. The plant-mediated synthesis of ZnO NPs is particularly notable, utilizing phytochemicals for reducing and stabilizing nanoparticles, which exhibit enhanced biological activity. ZnO NPs hold promise in diverse biomedical applications, including wound healing, cancer therapy, targeted drug delivery, antimicrobial coatings, and Alzheimer's treatment. Their pharmacokinetic behaviour and size-dependent properties are crucial in their therapeutic efficacy and toxicity. Despite their advantages, challenges remain in achieving controlled synthesis and understanding their interaction with biological systems. This review underscores the potential of ZnO NPs as a versatile material for revolutionary advancements in medicine while advocating for sustainable production methods.