Bioactive studies of TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized using Glycyrrhiza glabra

The world is fascinated by the emergence of nano products with the venture of nanotechnology with indomitable scientific advancements in almost all domains. The most interesting aspect of nanomaterials involves its synthesis protocol using green chemistry principles. In the event of eco-friendly approach, TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using Glycyrrhiza glabra root extracts from titanium oxysulfate precursor. These TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by means of spectroscopic and electron microscopic techniques. These nanoparticles showed maximum absorbance at 250 nm. The involvement of phytochemicals, proteins and their interaction in the nanoparticle formation was determined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern was found to exhibit typical anatase phase of nano crystal possessing zeta value of -31mV. Electron micrograph of TiO2 NPs showed spherical shaped particles with an average size of 69 nm TiO2 Nanoparticles exhibited antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms. The cytotoxic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated by MTT assay and IC50 values was found to be 1.25 mu g and 0.3125 mu g respectively against Vero and HEp2 cell lines. Biocompatibility studies were also carried out using zebra fish (Danio rerio) embryo model which proved that they are not cytotoxic to the embryo which is evident from their developmental stages. Such highly robust, stable, biocompatible TiO2 Nanoparticles with potential biological activity prove to be a promising multifaceted therapeutic agent demanding in vivo studies.