Characterization of zinc oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized with morin hydrate, and investigation and comparison of their antioxidant, antimicrobial, apoptotic, and anticarcinogenic properties

This study aimed to synthesize and characterize morin hydrate-stabilized ZnO and FeO nanoparticles and to compare their antioxidant, antimicrobial, apoptotic, and anticarcinogenic properties in in vitro models. The data obtained from this study, through biological evaluations and various characterizations, can contribute to the development of new nanotherapy methods against various infectious diseases and cancer. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The antimicrobial activity of these nanoparticles against gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 11229, K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883, S. aureus ATCC 25923, P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027), gram-positive (S. aureus ATCC 25923), and fungal (C. albicans ATCC 10231) strains was evaluated. Antioxidant capacity analyses were performed using DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC methods. The cytotoxic effects of nanoparticles were investigated in the HCT-116 colon cancer cell line. Cell viability and apoptosis markers were assessed using AO/EB staining, Annexin-V/Propidium Iodide (PI) staining, and flow cytometry, and cell populations were quantitatively separated. In the UV–Vis spectrum, MrZnO exhibited a broader absorption peak at approximately 300 nm, while MrFeO exhibited a broader absorption peak at approximately 350 nm. FTIR spectra (MrZnO–MrFeO) were recorded to determine the functional groups of the biomolecules involved in the synthesis. In SEM images, MrZnO showed a uniform size distribution, rectangular prism morphology, low aggregation, and smooth surface properties, while MrFeO showed a uniform size distribution and negligible aggregation properties. While MrZnO exhibited a broad spectrum of activity, MrFeO nanoparticles exhibited a narrower spectrum of activity and a more limited overall antimicrobial potential compared to MrZnO. MrFeO (IC50:210 µg/mL) exhibited a cytotoxic effect compared to MrZnO (IC50:277 µg/mL) in HCT116 colon cancer cells and higher antioxidant activity compared to MrZnO in all tests (CUPRAC, FRAP, DPPH). In conclusion, MrZnO nanoparticles exhibited higher antimicrobial activity compared to MrFeO, while MrFeO exhibited superior antioxidant properties in all tests and exhibited higher cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on cancer cells compared to MrZnO.