Anti- Diabetic and Cytotoxic Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesised Using Boerhaavia diffusa

Introduction: Nanotechnology is the art of manipulating matter in terms of nano scale. It mainly aims at combining nanotechnology with drugs to improve the ability of a specific target. These materials are produced at nanoscale level as it is safe to administer in the body. Boerhaavia diffusa is a flowering plant which is also known as Punarnava. It is a herbal medicine that is used for pain relief. It has been used primarily for its anti-diabetic and diuretic properties. Zinc oxide nanoparticles is one of the prominent metal oxide nanoparticles which is used in applications of many research projects and industries. The synthesis using plant sources is used for the production of ZnO NPs due to its environmental, economic, and medicinal benefits.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the anti diabetic and cytotoxic effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesised using Boerhaavia diffusa.

Materials and Methods: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesised using Boerhaavia diffusa extract and Anti- diabetic activity was carried out using alpha amylase inhibitory activity and cytotoxic activity was done by brine shrimp lethality assay.

Results: The percentage of lethality was found to be 60%, 70%, 70%, 90%, 90%, and 0% in the 5 microliters, 10microliters, 20 microliters, 40 microliters, 80 microliters and 100 microliters concentration levels. Alpha amylase inhibitory activity was performed which showed better results indicating anti diabetic and cytotoxic activity. In anti diabetic inhibitory activity the values were 40%, 50%, 75%, 80% and 82% in 10mg/mL, 20mg/mL, 30mg/mL, 40mg/mL, 50mg/mL respectively. Both anti diabetic and cytotoxic effects showed prominent inhibitory effects.

Conclusion: Zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesised using Boerhaavia diffusa exhibited significant Anti -diabetic and cytotoxic activity in brine shrimp lethality assay showing emergence of a drug candidate for further research.