Aim:

Zirconium oxide nanoparticles have unique properties that could be useful in various applications, including implants, biosensors, anticancer, and antimicrobial agents. To enhance their suitability as coatings for prosthetic implants, quercetin, a flavanol abundant in plants, serves as an effective functionalization agent, enhancing nanoparticle solubility, stability, and bioavailability. This study focuses on synthesizing zirconium oxide nanoparticles using Hemidesmus indicus (H. indicus) root extract and functionalizing them with quercetin. Further, their biocompatibility, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity are evaluated to target their application as coatings for prosthetic implants.

Materials and Methods:

Zirconium oxide nanoparticles were prepared using H. indicus root extract (H-ZrO₂NPs) and decorated with quercetin followed by pegylation. The nanoparticles were characterized using various characterization techniques including UV–vis spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The biological activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated using biocompatibility, antioxidant, and antibacterial assays. Biocompatibility was tested by investigating the interaction between the quercetin-functionalized zirconium oxide nanoparticles (HQZN) and erythrocytes. The antibacterial and antioxidant efficacy of H-ZrO₂NPs and HQZN was tested and compared with the standard drug. The results were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparison tests.

Results:

H-ZrO₂NPs were successfully synthesized using H. root extract and functionalized with quercetin. The characterization of nanoparticles using various techniques confirmed their morphology, elemental composition, functionalization, crystallinity, size, and stability. The nanoparticles were appearing spherical in shape with a size range of 20–120 nm. The crystallinity of H-ZrO₂NPs is found to be enhanced with quercetin functionalization. In vitro, bioactivity studies revealed the antioxidant and antibacterial efficacy of HQZN. The hemocompatibility of HQZN was proved by investigating its interaction with erythrocytes.

Conclusion:

The study findings revealed that the biocompatible HQZN holds notable antioxidant and antibacterial properties. On the other hand, further comprehensive investigation using an in vivo model is vital to appreciate their efficacy and toxicity profile.