Green synthesis of zirconium oxide nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica leaves extract for multifunctional biomedical applications
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Microbiology, Taywade College
- 2Ramdeobaba University
- 3Datta Meghe College of Pharmacy, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Deemed to be University
- 4Department of Physics, R.T.M. Nagpur University
Abstract
The green synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles (N-ZrO2 NPs) with plant extracts offers a unique and ecologically benign approach for biological applications. In this study, dried leaf extract of Azadirachta indica was employed as a reducing and capping agent in the manufacture of N-ZrO2 nanoparticles. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) study reveals the presence of functional bonds necessary for NP stabilization, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies validate the crystalline structure and phase purity. The shape and morphology of N-ZrO2 NPs were analyzed by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations. It was observed that the prepared NPs had an average size of 8.15 ± 0.25 nm. The synthesized N-ZrO2 NPs shows antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and strong antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Biofilm inhibition reached 71.5%% at 1⋅MIC, with 30.6% reduction in biofilm biomass at higher concentration, confirming dose-dependent disruption of biofilm architecture. The NPs also showed notable antioxidant activity in DPPH and H2O2 scavenging assays. Cytotoxicity tests show dose-dependent anti-cancer efficacy against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, with an IC50 of 38.69 µg/mL. However, no appreciable antifungal activity was detected. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of green-synthesized N-ZrO2 NPs as antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anticancer agents in biomedical applications.
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BibTeX
@article{tanwar2026green,
title = {{Green synthesis of zirconium oxide nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica leaves extract for multifunctional biomedical applications}},
author = {Shruti N. Tanwar and Yatish R. Parauha and Yogesh There and Anil Pethe and S. J. Dhoble},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-62317-5},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62317-5},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Green synthesis of zirconium oxide nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica leaves extract for multifunctional biomedical applications
AU - Shruti N. Tanwar
AU - Yatish R. Parauha
AU - Yogesh There
AU - Anil Pethe
AU - S. J. Dhoble
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-62317-5
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62317-5
AB - The green synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles (N-ZrO2 NPs) with plant extracts offers a unique and ecologically benign approach for biological applications. In this study, dried leaf extract of Azadirachta indica was employed as a reducing and capping agent in the manufacture of N-ZrO2 nanoparticles. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) study reveals the presence of functional bonds necessary for NP stabilization, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies validate the crystalline structure and phase purity. The shape and morphology of N-ZrO2 NPs were analyzed by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations. It was observed that the prepared NPs had an average size of 8.15 ± 0.25 nm. The synthesized N-ZrO2 NPs shows antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and strong antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Biofilm inhibition reached 71.5%% at 1⋅MIC, with 30.6% reduction in biofilm biomass at higher concentration, confirming dose-dependent disruption of biofilm architecture. The NPs also showed notable antioxidant activity in DPPH and H2O2 scavenging assays. Cytotoxicity tests show dose-dependent anti-cancer efficacy against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, with an IC50 of 38.69 µg/mL. However, no appreciable antifungal activity was detected. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of green-synthesized N-ZrO2 NPs as antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anticancer agents in biomedical applications.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -