Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications - A Review

doi:10.2147/IJN.S487188

Review

. 2024 Dec 3:19:12889-12937.

doi: 10.2147/IJN.S487188. eCollection 2024.

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications - A Review

Mohamed T El-Saadony^#¹, Guihong Fang^#^{2

3}, Si Yan³, Samar Sami Alkafaas⁴, Mahmoud A El Nasharty⁵, Sohila A Khedr⁶, Aya Misbah Hussien⁷, Soumya Ghosh⁸, Mthokozisi Dladla⁹, Sara Samy Elkafas^{10

11}, Essam H Ibrahim^{12

13}, Heba Mohammed Salem¹⁴, Walid F A Mosa¹⁵, Ahmed Ezzat Ahmed¹², Dina Mostafa Mohammed¹⁶, Sameh A Korma¹⁷, Marawan K El-Tarabily¹⁸, Ahmed M Saad¹⁹, Khaled A El-Tarabily²⁰, Synan F AbuQamar²⁰

Affiliations

¹ Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
² School of Public Health, Heinz Mehlhorn Academician Workstation, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571199, People's Republic of China.
³ Qionghai People's Hospital, Qionghai, Hainan, 571400, People's Republic of China.
⁴ Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
⁵ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
⁶ Industrial Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31733, Egypt.
⁷ Biotechnology Department at Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21531, Egypt.
⁸ Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, 616, Oman.
⁹ Human Molecular Biology Unit (School of Biomedical Sciences), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
¹⁰ Production Engineering and Mechanical Design Department, Faculty of Engineering, Menofia University, Shebin El Kom, Menofia, 32511, Egypt.
¹¹ Faculty of Control System and Robotics, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 197101, Russia.
¹² Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia.
¹³ Blood Products Quality Control and Research Department, National Organization for Research and Control of Biologicals, Cairo, 12611, Egypt.
¹⁴ Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
¹⁵ Plant Production Department (Horticulture-Pomology), Faculty of Agriculture, Saba Basha, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21531, Egypt.
¹⁶ Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt.
¹⁷ Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
¹⁸ Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary.
¹⁹ Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
²⁰ Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 39651353
PMCID: PMC11624689
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S487188

Review

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications - A Review

Mohamed T El-Saadony et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2024.

. 2024 Dec 3:19:12889-12937.

doi: 10.2147/IJN.S487188. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
² School of Public Health, Heinz Mehlhorn Academician Workstation, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571199, People's Republic of China.
³ Qionghai People's Hospital, Qionghai, Hainan, 571400, People's Republic of China.
⁴ Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
⁵ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
⁶ Industrial Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31733, Egypt.
⁷ Biotechnology Department at Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21531, Egypt.
⁸ Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, 616, Oman.
⁹ Human Molecular Biology Unit (School of Biomedical Sciences), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
¹⁰ Production Engineering and Mechanical Design Department, Faculty of Engineering, Menofia University, Shebin El Kom, Menofia, 32511, Egypt.
¹¹ Faculty of Control System and Robotics, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 197101, Russia.
¹² Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia.
¹³ Blood Products Quality Control and Research Department, National Organization for Research and Control of Biologicals, Cairo, 12611, Egypt.
¹⁴ Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
¹⁵ Plant Production Department (Horticulture-Pomology), Faculty of Agriculture, Saba Basha, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21531, Egypt.
¹⁶ Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt.
¹⁷ Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
¹⁸ Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary.
¹⁹ Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
²⁰ Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 39651353
PMCID: PMC11624689
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S487188

Abstract

Over the last decade, biomedical nanomaterials have garnered significant attention due to their remarkable biological properties and diverse applications in biomedicine. Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are particularly notable for their wide range of medicinal uses, including antibacterial, anticancer, biosensing, cell imaging, and drug/gene delivery. Among these, zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs stand out for their versatility and effectiveness. Recently, ZnO NPs have become a primary material in various sectors, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, antimicrobials, construction, textile, and automotive industries. ZnO NPs can generate reactive oxygen species and induce cellular apoptosis, thus underpinning their potent anticancer and antibacterial properties. To meet the growing demand, numerous synthetic approaches have been developed to produce ZnO NPs. However, traditional manufacturing processes often involve significant economic and environmental costs, prompting a search for more sustainable alternatives. Intriguingly, biological synthesis methods utilizing plants, plant extracts, or microorganisms have emerged as ideal for producing ZnO NPs. These green production techniques offer numerous medicinal, economic, environmental, and health benefits. This review highlights the latest advancements in the green synthesis of ZnO NPs and their biomedical applications, showcasing their potential to revolutionize the field with eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions.

Keywords: antimicrobial; antioxidant; green synthesis; nanomedicine; nanoparticle; zinc oxide.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest in this work.

Figures

**Figure 1**
The anticancer mechanisms of ZnO NPs.

**Figure 2**
Anticancer drug delivery of ZnO NPs in cancer treatment.

**Figure 3**
The antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs.

**Figure 4**
The antifungal activity of ZnO NPs.

**Figure 5**
Anti-inflammatory effect of ZnO NPs.

**Figure 6**
Skin protective effect of ZnO NPs.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

1. Xie J, Cao Y, Jia D, Li Y, Wang Y. Solid-state synthesis of Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles with selective-detection gas-sensing performance. Ceram Int. 2016;42(1):90–96. doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2015.07.135 - DOI
1. Sun Y, Zhang W, Li Q, Liu H, Wang X. Preparations and applications of zinc oxide based photocatalytic materials. Adv Sens Energy Mater. 2023;2(3):100069. doi:10.1016/j.asems.2023.100069 - DOI
1. Adimule V, Revaigh MG, Adarsha HJ. Synthesis and fabrication of Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles and their application as a gas sensor for the detection of ammonia. J Mater Eng Perform. 2020;29:4586–4596. doi:10.1007/s11665-020-04979-4 - DOI
1. Izu N, Shimada K, Akamatsu T, Itoh T, Shin W, Shiraishi K, Usui T. Polyol synthesis of Al-doped ZnO spherical nanoparticles and their UV–vis–NIR absorption properties. Ceram Int. 2014;40(6):8775–8781. doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.01.099 - DOI
1. Mishra PN, Mishra PK, Pathak D. The influence of Al doping on the optical characteristics of ZnO nanopowders obtained by the low-cost sol-gel method. Chemistry. 2022;4(4):1136–1146. doi:10.3390/chemistry4040077 - DOI

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[1] Xie J, Cao Y, Jia D, Li Y, Wang Y. Solid-state synthesis of Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles with selective-detection gas-sensing performance. Ceram Int. 2016;42(1):90–96. doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2015.07.135 - DOI

[2] Xie J, Cao Y, Jia D, Li Y, Wang Y. Solid-state synthesis of Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles with selective-detection gas-sensing performance. Ceram Int. 2016;42(1):90–96. doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2015.07.135 - DOI

[3] Sun Y, Zhang W, Li Q, Liu H, Wang X. Preparations and applications of zinc oxide based photocatalytic materials. Adv Sens Energy Mater. 2023;2(3):100069. doi:10.1016/j.asems.2023.100069 - DOI

[4] Sun Y, Zhang W, Li Q, Liu H, Wang X. Preparations and applications of zinc oxide based photocatalytic materials. Adv Sens Energy Mater. 2023;2(3):100069. doi:10.1016/j.asems.2023.100069 - DOI

[5] Adimule V, Revaigh MG, Adarsha HJ. Synthesis and fabrication of Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles and their application as a gas sensor for the detection of ammonia. J Mater Eng Perform. 2020;29:4586–4596. doi:10.1007/s11665-020-04979-4 - DOI

[6] Adimule V, Revaigh MG, Adarsha HJ. Synthesis and fabrication of Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles and their application as a gas sensor for the detection of ammonia. J Mater Eng Perform. 2020;29:4586–4596. doi:10.1007/s11665-020-04979-4 - DOI

[7] Izu N, Shimada K, Akamatsu T, Itoh T, Shin W, Shiraishi K, Usui T. Polyol synthesis of Al-doped ZnO spherical nanoparticles and their UV–vis–NIR absorption properties. Ceram Int. 2014;40(6):8775–8781. doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.01.099 - DOI

[8] Izu N, Shimada K, Akamatsu T, Itoh T, Shin W, Shiraishi K, Usui T. Polyol synthesis of Al-doped ZnO spherical nanoparticles and their UV–vis–NIR absorption properties. Ceram Int. 2014;40(6):8775–8781. doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.01.099 - DOI

[9] Mishra PN, Mishra PK, Pathak D. The influence of Al doping on the optical characteristics of ZnO nanopowders obtained by the low-cost sol-gel method. Chemistry. 2022;4(4):1136–1146. doi:10.3390/chemistry4040077 - DOI

[10] Mishra PN, Mishra PK, Pathak D. The influence of Al doping on the optical characteristics of ZnO nanopowders obtained by the low-cost sol-gel method. Chemistry. 2022;4(4):1136–1146. doi:10.3390/chemistry4040077 - DOI

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Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications - A Review

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Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications - A Review

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