Biogenic metal-oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Morus nigra leaf extract: A dual therapeutic approach for antioxidant and antidiabetic applications

The study reports the novel synthesis of glucose-stabilized zinc oxide nanoparticles (G-ZNPs) using an aqueous leaf extract of Morus nigra as a reducing agent and glucose as a stabilizing agent to improve nanoparticle stability and biocompatibility. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis determined the hexagonal wurtzite structure. An optical band gap of 5.34 eV, corresponding to 229 nm, was observed for G-ZNPs. The zeta potential value of -16.9 mV indicated a stable net negative charge. The highest % inhibition for G-ZNPs was reported to be 73% at 100 µg/mL (IC 50 =53±0.17 µg/mL by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. In vitro α-amylase inhibition assay showed IC 50 =88±0.02 µg/mL for G-ZNPs and IC 50 =127±0.03 µg/mL for metformin, highlighting the antidiabetic potential of the nanoparticles. A significant upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), following a 28-day treatment was reported in in vivo antioxidant studies using Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ).