Biosynthesis and Therapeutic Evaluation of Trichosanthes dioica Peel-Mediated Silver and Zinc Nanoparticles

Medicinal plants have long been recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological properties. Plant-derived phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, and tannins are known to possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, contributing to their therapeutic potential. The present study investigates the biological potential of the peel of Trichosanthes dioica (pointed gourd), an underutilized plant material rich in phytochemical constituents. In this study, the peel of T. dioica was shade dried, powdered, and extracted using aqueous and ethanolic solvents. The prepared extracts were further employed for the green synthesis of silver (Ag) and zinc (Zn) nanoparticles using plant-based reducing agents. The antioxidant activity of the extracts and synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The results demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity, showing an increase in scavenging activity with increasing sample concentration, with a maximum scavenging activity of approximately 41%. Antibacterial activity was assessed against bacterial strains including Escherichia coli and Bacillus species using the disc diffusion method. The extracts and synthesized nanoparticles exhibited inhibitory effects against the tested microorganisms, indicating antibacterial potential. Overall, the findings suggest that Trichosanthes dioica peel possesses promising antioxidant and antibacterial properties and could serve as a potential natural source for the development of eco-friendly therapeutic agents.