One-pot fabrication and characterization of ZnO nanoflowers using Zanthoxylum simulans and evaluating their...

Novel zinc oxide nanoflowers (ZnO NFs) were synthesized using the aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum simulans. The green synthesized Zs-ZnO NFs were characterized using FT-IR, XPS, XRD, HR-TEM, EDAX, DLS, and zeta potential (ZP) analysis to confirm the physicochemical properties. HR-TEM analysis exposed the flower-like morphology with uniform size. The XPS analysis exposed the elements present in the Zs-ZnO NFs. Further, the Zn element exhibited two binding energy peaks at 1021.41 and 1044.50 eV. The purity of Zs-ZnO NFs was confirmed using EDAX analysis. The Zs-ZnO NFs displayed bactericidal properties against the tested pathogens. To evaluate the effectiveness of Zs-ZnO NFs against dental pathogens via MIC, antibacterial, biofilm ring formation, and TTC assays were performed. A concentration-dependent biofilm inhibition was also observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans upon treatment with Zs-ZnO NFs, and it was confirmed using a 2.5D fluorescence imaging technique. A 100 µg/mL of Zs-ZnO NFs treatment displayed bacterial cell death, which was confirmed via dual staining. Furthermore, Zs-ZnO NFs induced protein leakage was observed upon treatment with 100 µg/mL concentration against the pathogens. Cytotoxicity of Zs-ZnO NFs was confirmed using HUVECs cells. Overall, the synthesized Zs-ZnO NFs exhibits efficient bactericidal, antibiofilm and biocompatible properties.