In this work, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were fabricated using aqueous extract of Wrightia tinctoria leaves for evaluating its catalytic and antibacterial efficacy against water contaminants. The qualitative phytochemical estimation showed the presence of secondary metabolites alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids and biomolecules carbohydrates and proteins in different solvent extracts. The quantitative estimation for phytochemicals showed total phenols (39.59 mg/g), total flavonoids (44.34 mg/g), total alkaloids (149.56 mg/g) and total tannins (56.47 mg/g). The GC-MS analysis revealed the bioactive compound mome inositol as the major phytochemical present in W. tinctoria leaves. The characterization of ZnO nanoparticles with XRD showed Bragg’s reflections at 2θ angles of 31.76º, 34.47º, 36.23º, 47.48º, 56.59º, 62.99º and 68.00º which confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure and size (86 nm) of the nanoparticles. The SEM analysis showed that the morphology of synthesized was spherical structure with uniform distribution. The ZnO nanoparticles effectively inhibited the growth of water contaminating bacterial pathogens viz. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebshiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO oxide nanoparticles in degrading textile dyes, methylene blue and methyl orange was found to be effective.

An enhanced anticancer properties of Ageratina adenophora mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were evaluated in the present study. The biogenic AgNPs effectively inhibited the viability and proliferation of ovarian teratocarcinoma cells (PA-1) by significantly increasing the initiation of apoptosis. The AgNPs were synthesized with the phytochemicals present in aqueous extract of Ageratina adenophora leaves which performed the dual function of reducing silver ions as well as the capping the nanoparticles. Characterization of nanoparticles with UV-vis spectroscopy revealed surface plasmon resonance peak at 470 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectrum showed the presence of functional groups such as alcohol, aldehyde, alkane, aromatic amines and phenolic compounds. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the crystalline nature and face centred cubic structure of AgNPs. The size, morphology and distribution of AgNPs were confirmed with scanning electron microscope (SEM). Further, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements also confirmed the size and charge of the synthesized nanoparticles. The AgNPs significantly increased the cytotoxicity and inhibited the proliferation of PA-1 cells. Apoptosis of PA-1 cells were increased with treatment of AgNPs. The increased cytotoxicity of PA-1 cells was due to the synergistic activity of phytochemicals and AgNPs. Hence, the current research on the silver nanoparticles mediated through A. adenophora leaf extract could be an effective alternative in treatment of ovarian cancer.