Antibacterial, antioxidant, and scolicidal activity investigation of biosynthesized ZnO NPs using Zhumeria majdae essential oil and hydroalcoholic extract

Abstract

The biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from the Zhumeria majdae plant is reported in this study. Additionally, the essential oil and hydroalcoholic extract of this plant were manufactured and their antibacterial, antioxidant, and scolicidal activities were investigated. The essential oil was analyzed using GC/MS spectroscopy. The UV-vis spectrum of ZnO NPs exhibited an absorption maximum at 368 nm. The XRD and EDS confirmed the hexagonal structure of ZnO NPs and the presence of zinc. FE-SEM indicated well-defined cubic NPs. The FT-IR spectrum of ZnO NPs revealed the presence of functional groups, including flavonoids and polyphenolic biomolecules. The antibacterial activity of biosynthesized ZnO NPs, essential oil, and hydroalcoholic extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated. Additionally, the scolicidal activity of various concentrations of these treatment regimens was investigated on protoscoleces of hydatid cysts at different time intervals. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of these products was assessed using DPPH and FRAP tests. The antimicrobial effects of ZnO NPs, hydroalcoholic extract, and essential oil on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were confirmed. The treatments demonstrated significant effects on protoscolexes of hydatid cysts at various time intervals, and their lethal effects were validated. From the findings of this study, it is believed that the essential oil of the Zhumeria majdae plant is more effective on some species of bacteria and also has significant scolicidal properties.