Investigation of the usability of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles as drug carrier system

One of the application areas of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is controlled drug release. Using the extract of Astragalus (Geven) Pycnocephalus var. Pycnocephalus plant, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by green synthesis method and optimum conditions were determined. In the studies to determine the optimum conditions in ZnO NP synthesis by green synthesis method; the effects of solid/solvent ratio, reaction time, reaction temperature and calcination temperature value and different precursor amounts on the extraction of the plant extract were investigated. Characterization of ZnO NPs obtained by green synthesis method UV-VIS spectroscopy (UV-VIS), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), zeta potential were made using a zeta potential analyzer (Zeta-Meter). ZnO nanoparticle optimum synthesis conditions; Zinc nitrate amount was determined as 1 g, calcination temperature was 500oC, reaction temperature was 40oC, extract concentration was 1:5 (w/v) and extract volume was 25 mL. As a result of the active drug loading and release studies of Kucurbitacin D and Kucurbitacin I to ZnO NPs synthesized under optimum green synthesis conditions; The drug loading capacity of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles was 8% for Kucurbitacin D and 6% for Kucurbitacin I, and the drug loading efficiency was 82% Kucurbitacin D and 79% Kucurbitacin I. It can be used as a drug delivery system due to its success in loading and releasing the active drug substance.