Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity and in Vitro Wound Healing Potential of ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized With Capparis spinosa Extract

Abstract

Agents that will accelerate wound healing maintain their clinical importance in all aspects. The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) ZnO nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis from Capparis spinosa L. extract and their effect on in vitro wound healing. ZnO NPs were synthesized and characterized using Capparis spinosa L. extract. ZnO NPs were tested against nine ATCC-coded pathogen strains to determine antimicrobial activity. The effects of different doses (0.0390625-20 mu g/mL) of NPs on cell viability were determined by MTT assay. The effect of ZnO NPs doses (0.0390625 mu g/mL, 0.078125 mu g/mL, 0.15625 mu g/mL, 0.3125 mu g/mL, 0.625 mu g/mL, 1.25 mu g/mL) that increase proliferation and migration on wound healing was investigated in an in vitro wound experiment. Cell culture medium obtained from the in vitro wound assay was used for biochemical analysis, and plate alcohol-fixed cells were used for immunohistochemical staining. It was determined that NPs formed an inhibition zone against the tested Gram-positive bacteria. The ZnO NPs doses determined in the MTT test provided faster wound closure in in-vitro conditions compared to the DMSO group. Biochemical analyses showed that inflammation and oxidative status decreased, while antioxidant levels increased in ZnO NPs groups. Immunohistochemical analyses showed increased expression levels of Bek/FGFR2, IGF, and TGF-beta associated with wound healing. The findings reveal the antimicrobial effect of ZnO nanoparticles obtained using Capparis spinosa L. extract in vitro and their potential applications in wound healing.