Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Its Cytotoxic Evaluation Using Human Gingival Fibroblast Cell Lines

Abstract

Aim: To synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) and to evaluate their cytotoxicity using human gingival fibroblast cell lines. Materials and methods: Zinc oxide (ZnO) NP was synthesized from lemon extract, and an 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to measure the cytotoxic effects of ZnO NPs on a human gingival fibroblast cell line. The percentage of surviving cells was determined 24 hours after being exposed to ZnO NPs at 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, and 200 ng/mL. Results: Zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs demonstrated roughly 84% cytotoxicity on human gingival fibroblast cells, even at the highest dose tested (200 ng/mL), compared to the control group with 100% cell viability. The MTT assay showed that after 24 hours of treatment with 100 nm, ZnONP did not significantly alter the cell viability in comparison to the control group, showing it to be less cytotoxic. Conclusion: Zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs are perfectly suited for targeted drug administration due to their regulated size, shape, and surface features. They are also safe for usage due to their biocompatibility and dose-dependent cytotoxic effect. Clinical significance: Zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs synthesized from the above method can be used in various biomedical applications. The lemon extract is an alternative method to the conventional synthesis of silver NPs.