Fabrication of pullulan/Syzygium kanarense-ZnO nanocomposite films for effective topical treatment of diabetes-induced wounds

Abstract

In this study Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized via co-precipitation using aqueous Syzygium kanarense (Sk) leaf extract, followed by successful fabrication of pullulan/Sk-ZnONPs composites. UV-Vis spectroscopy unveiled absorption peaks at 362 nm for Sk-ZnONPs and 217 nm for pullulan. FE-SEM confirmed rod-shaped nanoparticles integrated into the pullulan matrix, while PXRD aligned with ZnO ICDD reference, revealing a crystallite size of 36.89 nm and 71.2 percent crystallinity. EDX and FT-IR analyses highlighted phytochemical roles in reducing and stabilizing ZnONPs. Water contact angle measurements indicated reduced hydrophilicity of the pullulan matrix upon Sk-ZnONPs doping. The nanocomposite exhibited potent antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity (IC sub(50): 18.97 plus-minus 0.28 mu g, comparable to ascorbic acid), anti-inflammatory effects (IC sub(50): 17.81 plus-minus 0.98 mu g, surpassing diclofenac sodium), and antidiabetic potential (alpha-amylase IC sub(50): 16.59 plus-minus 0.45 mu g; alpha-glucosidase inhibition: 98.95 plus-minus 0.57 percent, rivaling acarbose). These results underscore the eco-friendly potential of pullulan/Sk-ZnONPs for topical treatments for diabetes-induced wounds, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional methods.