Antimicrobial Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Ocimum Tenuiflorum and Ocimum Gratissimum Herbal Formulation Against Oral Pathogens

Remmiya Mary Varghese; Aravind Kumar S; Rajeshkumar Shanmugam

doi:10.7759/cureus.53562

Antimicrobial Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Ocimum Tenuiflorum and Ocimum Gratissimum Herbal Formulation Against Oral Pathogens

Cureus. 2024 Feb 4;16(2):e53562. doi: 10.7759/cureus.53562. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Authors

Remmiya Mary Varghese¹, Aravind Kumar S², Rajeshkumar Shanmugam^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND.
² Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND.
³ Nanobiomedicine Lab, Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, IND.
⁴ Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND.

Abstract

Background This study deals with the antimicrobial efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) synthesized through green methods employing extracts from Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum and assessed for their antimicrobial properties against a range of oral pathogens. Methods Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized using extracts from Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum through a green synthesis approach. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the agar-well diffusion assay to evaluate the consistency of inhibition zones against oral pathogens. Variations in sensitivity were assessed through the time-kill curve assay, quantifying the response of oral pathogens to zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) exposure over time. Results The agar-well diffusion assay revealed uniform 9-mm zones of inhibition against all oral pathogens, signifying consistent antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). In the time-kill curve assay, Candida albicans exhibited the highest sensitivity, followed by Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus. Enterococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus species displayed lower sensitivity, suggesting potential selectivity. Discussion The observed variation in sensitivity implies the potential selectivity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) against specific oral pathogens, which may have significant implications for oral health applications. These findings underscore the versatility of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) as promising antimicrobial agents, particularly for oral health applications. Conclusion This study provides promising results for the antimicrobial potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) synthesized using Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum. The consistent antimicrobial activity and variations in sensitivity among oral pathogens highlight their promising utility in oral health care.

Keywords: antimicrobial agent; ecofriendly; green synthesis; nanotechnology; zinc oxide nanoparticle.