Biogenic synthesis of zinc Nanoparticle from ethanol extract of bitter gourd and evaluation of its in-vitro antioxidant efficacy

Recently, antioxidants and secondary metabolites have attracted a great deal of attention for their effect in preventing disease due to oxidative stress, which leads to degeneration of cell membranes and many pathological diseases. Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae), also known as “Karela”, is a variety of bitter gourd in India. It is commonly consumed as vegetable and also used as a popular folk medicine. The present study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of zinc nanoparticles synthesized from M.charantia. The results obtained from the DPPH and superoxide assay indicated that nanoparticles exhibits potent antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ of 42.31 ± 0.04 µg/ml). Similarly, a dose dependent scavenging activity was exhibited in the superoxide radicals scavenging assay and an IC₅₀ value of 57.75 ± 0.10 µg/ml was recorded.