Insight into phyto-fabrication of zinc oxide nanoparticles: GC–MS analysis, characterization, antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials against prostate and cervical carcinoma

The synthesis of beneficial nanoparticles (NPs) utilizing plant materials is an environmentally benign approach with diverse applications. We used Lysimachia monelli L. to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). The methanolic extract of L. monelli was analyzed via GC–MS, identifying 27 key compounds. Principal constituents included: hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 17-octadecynoic acid, linoelaidic acid, proceroside, ethoxyacetic acid ethyl ester, and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-methyl ester. Biosynthesized ZnONPs were characterized using XRD, FTIR, HR-TEM, SAED, and SEM-EDX. TEM revealed spherical particles with a median diameter of 45 nm. ZnONPs exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values ranging from 62.5 to 250 µg/mL. Antioxidant potential was confirmed through DPPH and ABTS assays, showing IC50 values of 109.8 µg/mL and 346.2 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, ZnONPs demonstrated significant anticancer activity against cervical (HeLa) and prostate (PC3) cancer cell lines, with IC50 values of 48.4 µg/mL and 70.8 µg/mL, respectively, while showing minimal cytotoxicity toward normal fibroblast cells (hFB4). KEY WORDS: ZnONPs, L. monelli, GC-MS, Characterization, Antibacterial, Anticancer Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(12), 2533-2547 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i12.13