International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology
Volume 15, Issue 3

Comparative Evaluation of In-vitro Cytotoxic and Neuroactive Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Tribulus terrestris Extract

Patil S P*, Jain B U, Nikam S S, Sawalwade S S

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Appasaheb Birnale College of Pharmacy, South Shivajinagar, Sangli-Miraj Road, Sangli (M.S.)-416416, India

Received: 19th Feb, 2025; Revised: 16th Jun, 2025; Accepted: 29th Jul, 2025; Available Online: 25th Sep, 2025

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological illness characterized by recurring seizures that is commonly treated with long-term medicine, such as carbamazepine, which might have negative effects. Because of their potential neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties, alternative medicines derived from medicinal plants and nanotechnology are gaining popularity. The purpose of this work was to examine the anticonvulsant-like characteristics of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), carbamazepine, and Tribulus terrestris ethanolic extract on human neuroblastoma cells SHSY5Y (CRL-2266). T. terrestris extract was prepared using Soxhlet extraction and subjected to phytochemical screening. Zinc acetate and T. terrestris extract were used to generate ZnO NPs, which were then evaluated by FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, UV-visible spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis. ZnO NPs, carbamazepine, and plant extract were evaluated for cytotoxicity at doses of 20-100 µg/mL using MTT assays. Morphological alterations were detected using microscopy. All test samples demonstrated dose-dependent decrease of cell viability. At 100 µg/mL, ZnO NPs exhibited the highest inhibition (22.79%), followed by T. terrestris extract (20.95%) and carbamazepine (11.87%). Morphological changes were noticeable in nanoparticle-treated cells.The data indicate that ZnO nanoparticles and T. terrestris extract have potential anticonvulsant capabilities that warrant further research through in vivo and mechanistic studies.

Keywords: Tribulus terrestris, ZnO nanoparticle, anti-convulsant activity, XRD, FTIR.

How to cite this article: Patil S P, Jain B U, Nikam S S, Sawalwade S S. Comparative Evaluation of In-vitro Cytotoxic and Neuroactive Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Tribulus terrestris Extract. International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology. 2025;15(3):985-90. doi:10.25258/ijddt.15.3.11

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