Bio-extract-mediated ZnO nanoparticles: microwave-assisted synthesis, characterization and antidiabetic activity evaluation

Herein, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using microwave-assisted method in the presence of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L, fruits extract. The structure, size, morphology and optical properties of the samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, FT-IR, UV-vis DRS and TGA analysis. A decrease in crystallite size was observed for the biologically synthesized ZnO compared to the chemically synthesized sample. Furthermore, the existence of organic moieties over the biologically synthesized ZnO NPs was approved using characterizing methods. Then, the alloxan-induced diabetic rats were divided into not treated (diabetic control group), and the groups received: insulin, chemically synthesized ZnO, plant extract, biologically synthesized ZnO with a normal healthy control group. After treatment, fasting blood glucose (FBS), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and insulin were measured. Analysis showed a significant decrease in FBS and increase in HDL levels in all groups under treatment. However, the results for cholesterol reduction were only significant for the group treated by biologically synthesized ZnO. Despite the changes in the triglyceride and insulin levels, the results were not significant. For all the studied parameters, bio-mediated ZnO NPs were found the most effective in treating the alloxan-diabetic rats compared to the other studied treatment agents.