RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Nanoparticles (NPs) with unique chemical and physical properties can be used for therapeutic purposes because of their strong antimicrobial activates. Nanoparticles have been used as an antimicrobial agents to inhibit microbial growth. OBJECTIVES: In view of the strong antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles, the biogenic synthesis and leishmanicidal activity of rod-shaped zinc oxide (R-ZnO) nanoparticles was explored using Lilium ledebourii tuber extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ensuing nanoparticles are characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy and their leishmanicidal activity evaluated against the Leishmania major (L. major) by MTT assay. RESULTS: The R-ZnO nanoparticles displayed excellent leishmanicidal activity against the L. major as they significantly inhibited the amastigotes. The IC50 values of R-ZnO nanoparticles being ~ 0.001 mg.mL-1. R-ZnO nanoparticles can inhibit L. major growth in a dose-dependent manner under in vitro conditions. CONCLUSION: A simple, low-cost feasible and eco-friendly procedure was developed for biosynthesis of R-ZnO nanoparticles using natural bioresource that can inhibit human parasite cells growth in a dose-dependent manner under in vitro conditions.