@article {2529, title = {Synthesis and Characterization of Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Eugenia uniflora Extract and its Anticancer Potential}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {August 2025}, pages = {506-510}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {506}, abstract = {

Introduction: Green synthesized nanoparticles have continued to be an important bioresource, exhibiting targeted delivery to diseases{\textquoteright} active sites with considerable eco-friendliness and effectiveness. Objective: In this study, the medicinally useful Eugenia uniflora L. through green synthesis with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), was potentiated for its anticancer activity. Materials and Methods: The leaf aqueous extract of E. uniflora (EU) was biosynthesized with zinc acetate dihydrate precursor to develop EU-ZnONPs. Characterization was based on field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The anticancer potential of EU-ZnONPs was based on MTT-based cytotoxicity (CC50) against human cancerous (HepG2 and ACHN) cell lines. Results: The FESEM revealed spherical-to-cubical shaped EU-ZnONPs with 40 and 80 nm average size ranges. Further microscopic evaluation by HRTEM showed that the bulk of the nanoparticles (NPs) are spherical, ranging from 5{\textendash}30 nm in size. The UV-Vis absorption peak at 387 nm agreed with the characteristic 300-400 nm peak range of biogenic ZnONPs. The presence of Zn and O at elemental weight percentages of 73.55 and 23.05\% confirmed the successful green synthesis of the Eu-ZnONPs. At 48 h post-treatment, the cytotoxicity against HepG2 and ACHN cancer cell lines was concentration-dependent, with CC50 values of 54.21 {\textpm} 0.06 μg/mL and 33.36 {\textpm} 2.25 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: This study has shown that EUZnONPs possess notable cytotoxicity against HepG2 and ACHN cancer cells, thus suggesting E. uniflora extract-based ZnONPs as a promising anticancer bioresource.

}, keywords = {Anticancer, Eugenia uniflora, Green synthesis, ZnO Nanoparticles}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.63}, author = {Pallab Kar and Ayodeji O. Oriola and Adebola O. Oyedeji} }