Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: A Possible Photosensitizing Agent in Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

The medical research community continues to search for effective technologies to treat diseases such as cancer, with photodynamic therapy (PDT) being a notable advancement. PDT combines light, oxygen, and a photosensitizer (PS) to target diseased cells. This study addresses the advancement of PDT in medical science for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, emphasizing the development of an efficient PS with desirable properties such as non-toxicity in the dark, high singlet oxygen yield, and selective targeting capabilities. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs-ZnO), recognized for their unique catalytic and photochemical properties, are emerging as a potential next-generation PS for PDT. The research uniquely employs an eco-friendly synthesis approach using Glycine max (soybean) extract, in line with green chemistry principles. This novel method not only ensures the synthesis of NPs-ZnO, but also promotes environmental sustainability. The synthesized NPs-ZnO were evaluated for their ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are essential for the degradation of methylene blue dye and serve as a proxy for their efficacy in PDT. In particular, NPs-ZnO synthesized using zinc acetate, zinc chloride at 180°C, and zinc nitrate at 100°C were identified as the most promising candidates for PDT applications. Their significant performance in ROS generation underscores the potential of these nanoparticles to enhance the efficacy of PDT in cancer treatment, paving the way for further research and development in this promising field.