Calcium carbonate nanowires: greener biosynthesis and their leishmanicidal activity

The synthesis of inorganic rod shape nanostructures is important in chromatography, dentistry, and medical applications such as bone implants, and drug and gene delivery systems. Herein, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanowires were synthesized using a plant extract and the ensuing nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FESEM, and HR-TEM. Then, the leishmanicidal effects of biogenic calcium carbonate nanowires were investigated against Leishmania major including the toxicity of varying concentrations of nanoparticles, and the percentage of viable and apoptotic cells based on flow cytometry analysis. Based on the results, the IC₅₀ of these polymorphs were calculated to be 800 μg mL^-1. An ecofriendly, inexpensive, and novel biogenic method for the production of a new advanced inorganic nanostructure, CaCO₃ nanowires, is described without using hazardous chemicals; calcium carbonate nanowires maybe used as a smart drug carrier.