ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Clerodendrum phlomidis plays a significant role in many indigenous medical systems, and it can be mostly found in Southeast Asia. The objective of the study was to synthesize and characterize the biosynthesized aluminum oxide nanoparticles (AlO-NPs) using C. phlomidis and analyze their antibacterial (bactericidal), antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. METHODS: The extract was prepared by the autoclave-assisted method, and the AlO-NPs were synthesized by the green synthesis method. The biosynthesized AlO-NPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The antibacterial property was assessed by the Kirby-Bauer well diffusion method, and the antioxidant activity was checked by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) activity compared with the control L-ascorbic acid. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by an albumin denaturation assay, and diclofenac was used as a control. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0 was used for the statistical analysis. Results: An absorption peak at a wavelength of 380 nm was detected by UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis. It proves that AlO-NPs have been successfully produced by the green synthesis method. The results of the FT-IR study demonstrated the existence of numerous chemicals and functional groups in the 500-3500 cm-1 range. AlO-NPs from the plant extract were subjected to FE-SEM analysis, which revealed an aggregated or spherically cluster-like structure. The sample's elemental makeup, which revealed that it included 38% aluminum and 28% oxygen, was identified with the help of the EDX, and this verified the high purity of the AlO-NPs. The results of the antibacterial activity of AlO-NPs revealed that there was a zone of inhibition for Enterococcus faecalis; however, there was no zone of inhibition for Streptococcus mutans. The synthesized AlO-NPs exhibit strong antioxidative (DPPH activity) and anti-inflammatory (albumin denaturation assay) action. In this work, the in vitro antioxidant activity of C. phlomidis was assessed using the standard, L-ascorbic acid, as a measure of DPPH activity. At a maximum concentration of 500 µg/ml, the obtained results showed the incredible antioxidant properties of the investigated AlO-NPs synthesized from the plant extracts and demonstrated 90% inhibition. AlO-NPs that were biosynthesized showed effective anti-inflammatory activity at a higher concentration of 100 µg/ml and demonstrated 89% inhibition in contrast to the drug diclofenac sodium. CONCLUSION: According to the study's findings, AlO-NPs made using a greener synthesis approach have the potential to be used in a variety of industries and are also an affordable and sustainable way to effectively act as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents.
