Green Fabrication of ZnO Nanoparticles from Tridax procumbens leaf extract: Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Evaluation on MCF7 and A549 Cells

In this present research, zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared through an eco-friendly, sustainable green synthesis method utilizing Tridax procumbens leaf extract. Different analytical methods were used to carefully study the synthesis physicochemical properties of the biosynthesized TP-ZnO nanoparticles. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were validated by UV-visible spectroscopy, which exhibited a distinct absorption peak at 347 nm, despite FTIR analysis identifying functional groups that facilitate nanoparticle stability. Crystallization of hexagonal wurtzite in the synthesized nanoparticle structure was demonstrated by XRD studies. SEM analysis showed predominantly quasi-spherical morphology, and TEM analysis revealed spherical ZnO nanoparticles with particle sizes in the range of 7-15 nm, while elemental composition was verified through EDAX analysis. The biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at different concentrations (500, 1000, and 200 µg) by using the disc diffusion method, with a maximum inhibition zone of 14 mm against P. aeruginosa. Anticancer activity evaluated by the MTT assay revealed IC50 values of 95.5 µg/mL for A459 cells and 29.72 µg/mL for MCF-7 cells. These findings indicate strong cytotoxic and antimicrobial potential of the nanoparticles. Overall, Tridax procumbens-mediated ZnO (TP-ZnO) nanoparticles demonstrate promising application in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.