Green Synthesis of CeO₂ Nanoparticles from the <i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> Extract: Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antibacterial, and Wound-Healing Activities

• Main Authors: Hafiz Ejaz Ahmed, Yasir Iqbal, Muhammad Hammad Aziz, Muhammad Atif, Zahida Batool, Atif Hanif, Nafeesah Yaqub, W. A. Farooq, Shafiq Ahmad, Amanullah Fatehmulla, Hijaz Ahmad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: green synthesis; nanobiotechnology; antibacterial activity; wound healing; antioxidant
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/15/4659

Metal oxide nanoparticles synthesized by the biological method represent the most recent research in nanotechnology. This study reports the rapid and ecofriendly approach for the synthesis of CeO₂ nanoparticles mediated using the <i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> extract. The medicinal plant extract acts as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The characterization of CeO₂ NPs was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The in vitro cytotoxicity of green synthesized CeO₂ was assessed against cervical cancerous cells (HeLa). The exposure of CeO₂ to HeLa cells at 10–125 µg/mL caused a loss in cellular viability against cervical cancerous cells in a dose-dependent manner. The antibacterial activity of the CeO₂ was assessed against <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>K. pneumonia</i>. A significant improvement in wound-healing progression was observed when cerium oxide nanoparticles were incorporated into the chitosan hydrogel membrane as a wound dressing.