Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Anti-bacterial, Anti-parasitic and Anti-cancer Activities of Aluminum-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

The preparation of nanoparticles by utilizing laser ablation in liquid has gained extensive attention as a reliable, simple, fast, efficient and environmental friendly method. In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNO NPs) and aluminum-doped ZNO nanoparticles (Al ZNO NPs) were produced via laser ablation in deionized water. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) analyses. ZNO NPs showed that the particle size increased with the increase in the number of laser pulses, while the shape changed from nanoplate to nanowire, along with the presence of small agglomerated spherical nanoparticles. The results confirmed the formation of Al ZNO NPs with Wurtzite hexagonal phase where the shape being modified from nanowire to spherical, along with high agglomeration. The EDS analysis showed that all peaks had conformity with the peaks of Zn, O, and Al atoms, with no impurities. The antibacterial activity test revealed a largest inhibition zone in Staphylococcus aureus as compared to Escherichia coli, with a more potent effect for Al ZNO NPs when compared with ZNO NPs alone. The same effects were recorded against Leishmania tropica and L. donovani, with stronger activity against the former parasite. The nanoparticles also showed anticancer activities against MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting that cancer cells were targeted by the NPs through induction of cell death. Consequently, these investigations reveal that the prepared particles may be useful for the development of anti-cancer drugs, including those used for breast cancer therapy.