Green Synthesis of Iron and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles via <i>Salvadora Persica</i> Extract: Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Biocompatibility Studies

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the preparation of α‐Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO NPs using aqueous extract of Salvadora persica twigs/bark. These nanoparticles (NPs) were further characterized using highly sophisticated techniques. The synthesized material was found to be polycrystalline, spherical, and monodispersed, displaying the size of 24 and 21 nm for α‐Fe 2 O 3 and ZnO NPs, respectively. Miswak‐originated α‐Fe 2 O 3 and ZnO NPs revealed convincing antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus . ZnO NPs displayed higher antioxidant potential (82.15%) and cytotoxic potency (LC 50 ; 0.81 µg/mL) compared to α‐Fe 2 O 3 NPs. ZnO NPs revealed low hemolysis and are compatible with human RBCs. Zeta potential quantities presented ‐39 and −41.3 mV for α‐Fe 2 O 3 and ZnO NPs, respectively, portraying comparable stability. Miswak extract‐derived ZnO NPs have proven better antineoplastic activity than α‐Fe 2 O 3 NPs against HT‐29 cell lines (IC 50 of 54.71 µg/mL) and HepG2 cells (IC 50 of 29.89 µg/mL). Flow cytometric scores suggested that ZnO NPs provoked better early and late apoptosis in tumor cells. Furthermore, in vivo studies revealed that ZnO NPs were more effective in reversing white blood cell counts to normal and managing weight loss in CML rats. Similarly, histopathology of rat spleen established that ZnO NPs greater effect than α‐Fe 2 O 3 NPs in regulating CML‐induced pathology.