Antimicrobial and anticancer activities of biosynthesized bimetallic silver-zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag-ZnO NPs) using pomegranate peel extract

Abstract In the last two decades, nanomaterials have received much attention for the treatment of multidrug-resistant microbes that threaten human health. In the current study, the novelty and scientific significance concentrated on the biogenic synthesis of bimetallic silver-zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag-ZnO NPs) using pomegranate peel extract (PPE) for the first time. The new constructed bimetallic Ag-ZnO NPs possessed the synergistic activity at a low concentration to avoid toxicity and elevate the superior potential. UV-Vis. characterization illustrated that Ag-ZnO NPs were small in size (15.8 nm), which was observed at 395.0 nm. The SEM image of Ag-ZnO NPs, incorporated with PPE, exhibited uniform Ag-ZnO NP surfaces with a clear surface appearance. It can be detected that Ag-ZnO NPs were isolated typically as a rounded particle across the PPE, which showed as brilliant NPs combined and stabilized with the prepared PPE. Results also revealed that Ag-ZnO NPs exhibited potential antibacterial activity toward Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Bacillus subtilis , Staphylococcus aureus , and Enterococcus faecalis where minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were 62.5, 125, 15.62, 62.5, and 250 µg/ml. Likewise, Ag-ZnO NPs appeared antifungal activity against Candida albicans , Cryptococcus neoformans , Aspergillus fumigatus , and Aspergillus brasiliensis , where MICs were 7.81, 31.25, 125, and 62.5 µg/ml, respectively. Moreover, Ag-ZnO NPs exhibited anticancer activities against MCF7 and Caco2, where IC 50 was 104.9 and 52.4 µg/ml, respectively. Additionally, these concentrations are safe in use where results of cytotoxicity on Vero normal cell line confirmed that IC 50 was 155.1 µg/ml. Overall, bimetallic Ag-ZnO NPs were for the first time, successfully biosynthesized using PPE; also, they had a promising antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities.