Characterization and cytotoxicity evaluation of Ixora coccinea-derived iron oxide microparticles for biomedical applications

Pavithra  Bharathy; Silpa  Jayaprakash; Allen Christopher M; Rajini prem G; Punniyakoti Veeraveedu Thanikachalam

doi:10.69857/joapr.v13i1.870

Authors

Pavithra Bharathy Department of Pharmaceutics, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai-602105, India
Silpa Jayaprakash Department of Pharmaceutics, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai-602105
Allen Christopher M Department of Pharmaceutics, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai-602105, India
Rajini prem G Department of Pharmaceutics, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai-602105, India
Punniyakoti Veeraveedu Thanikachalam Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai-602105, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69857/joapr.v13i1.870

Keywords:

Iron oxide microparticles, Ixora coccinea, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, cytotoxicity

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to synthesise and characterise iron oxide microparticles (IOMPs) using Ixora coccinea flower extracts and evaluate their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antidiabetic activities. Methodology: IOMPs were synthesised using Ixora coccinea flower extract and characterised using XRD, UV-Vis, EDAX APEX, and SEM. Bioactivity evaluations included anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities via egg albumin, BSA, and DPPH assays; cytotoxicity through Brine Shrimp Lethality and zebrafish embryonic toxicity assays at 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg/ml; and antidiabetic activity via alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition. Results: Fe₂O₃MPs demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory (83% protein denaturation inhibition at 50 μg/ml), antioxidant (94.26% inhibition at 50 μg/ml), and antidiabetic (86% α-amylase and 84% α-glucosidase inhibition at 50 μg/ml) properties, surpassing diclofenac sodium and ascorbic acid. Cytotoxicity tests revealed low toxicity, with LC50 values of 80.5 μg/ml (Brine Shrimp) and 82.4 μg/ml (zebrafish). Discussion: This study presents an eco-friendly synthesis of Fe₂O₃ microparticles using Ixora coccinea extract as a reducing and stabilising agent. These microparticles hold promise for biomedical applications, including drug delivery, MRI contrast enhancement, and hyperthermia treatment. Further research must optimise the synthesis process and assess the in vivo biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy. Conclusion: This study addresses the need for eco-friendly nanoparticles. Conventional iron oxide microparticle synthesis uses toxic chemicals, but Ixora coccinea flower extract offers a sustainable alternative. Evaluating Fe₂O₃MPs' cytotoxicity and bioactivity provides insights into biomedical applications, supporting future investigations that link nanotechnology and therapeutics.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Pujari V, Sawant R, Shivathaya N, Surve R, Sunagar N, Sawant V, Patil S. Formulation and evaluation of lipstick using Ixora coccinea flower extract as a natural coloring agent. Innovare J. Ayurvedic Sci., (2022) https://doi.org/10.22159/ijas.2021.v10i1.44175.

Patil S, Patil S, Kamalakar W, Smita P, Patil S. Innovative Formulation and Evaluation of Phytosomal Nanoparticles from Ixora Coccinea Linn and its Pharmacological Screening. J. Drug Deliv. Ther., 14, 110 (2024) https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v14i8.6757.

Nadeem R, Imran M, Saeed CR, Pervaiz M. UYA in traditional M. Exploring the therapeutic potential of Ixora extract: a comprehensive review of mediated studies. Adv. Tradit. Med., 25, 107–144 (2025) https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-024-00797-4.

Chaterjee A, Chaterjee D, Ghosh M, Dagur P, Kaur J, Rangra NK, Dey S, Mondal A, Ghosh A, Behera P. Phytochemical Screening and Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Investigations on Extracts of Ixora javanica. Matrix Sci. Pharma, 7, 43–51 (2023) https://doi.org/10.4103/mtsp.mtsp_2_23.

de Oliveira GSN, Senger C, de Oliveira RC. Activity of Brazilian Cerrado Plants in Tumor Cell Lines: A Systematic Review. Futur. Integr. Med., 3, 50–62 (2024) https://doi.org/10.14218/fim.2023.00042.

Najmi L, Rafiq S, Raza SH, Nazish G-E-. Investigations of Phytochemical, Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antipyretic Effects of Ixora Pavetta Andrews Leaf. Pakistan J. Med. Heal. Sci., 17, 364–6 (2023) https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs2023174364.

Al-Madhagy SA, El-Hawary SS, Sabry OM, Gad SS, Mostafa ES. Therapeutic Potential of Pavetta L. Genus: An Updated Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicological Aspects. Egypt. J. Chem., 65, (2022) https://doi.org/10.21608/EJCHEM.2022.141268.6183.

Sivasakthi V, Selvam K, Prakash P, Shivakumar MS, SenthilNathan S. Characterization of silver nanoparticles using Ixora brachiata Roxb. and its biological application. Curr. Res. Green Sustain. Chem., 5, (2022) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crgsc.2021.100257.

Sivasakthi V. Anti-diabetic activity of bioactive compounds extract from Ixora brachiata leaf: In-vitro and molecular docking, dynamics simulation approaches. Vegetos, (2024) https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-024-01139-0.

Ghazali N, Mohd Shah NH, Abd Rahman N. Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Ixora coccinea Linn On Stem Cells of Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth Cells. Int. J. Life Sci. Pharma Res., 13(4), 43-51 (2023) https://doi.org/10.22376/ijlpr.2023.13.4.p43-p51.

Yedelli K, Pathangi RK. Antidiabetic Activity of Medicinal Plants: An Updated Overview of Streptozotocin and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Models. Trop. J. Nat. Prod. Res., 6, 1047–56 (2022) https://doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v6i7.3.

Schneider MGM, Martín MJ, Otarola J, Vakarelska E, Simeonov V, Lassalle V, Nedyalkova M. Biomedical Applications of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Current Insights Progress and Perspectives, 2022. https://doi.org//10.3390/pharmaceutics14010204

Bataineh SMB, Arafa IM, Abu-Zreg SM, Al-Gharaibeh MM, Hammouri HM, Tarazi YH, Homa D. Synergistic Effect of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Medicinal Plant Extracts against Resistant Bacterial Strains. Magnetochemistry, 10, 49 (2024) https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/magnetochemistry10070049.

Mohamed N, Hessen OEA, Mohammed HS. Thermal stability, paramagnetic properties, morphology and antioxidant activity of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized by chemical and green methods. Inorg. Chem. Commun., 128, (2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2021.108572.

Erci F, Cakir-Koc R. Rapid green synthesis of noncytotoxic iron oxide nanoparticles using aqueous leaf extract of Thymbra spicata and evaluation of their antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant activity. Inorg. Nano-Metal Chem., 51, 683–92 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1080/24701556.2020.1802754.

Obidah AH, Aduwamai UH, Adamu SS. Effect of Green Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Spinach Extract on Triton X-100-Induced Atherosclerosis in Rats. Biochem. Res. Int., 2022, (2022) https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9311227.

Abdullah JAA, Salah Eddine L, Abderrhmane B, Alonso-González M, Guerrero A, Romero A. Green synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles by pheonix dactylifera leaf extract and evaluation of their antioxidant activity. Sustain. Chem. Pharm., 17, (2020) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2020.100280.

Üstün E, Önbaş SC, Çelik SK, Ayvaz MÇ, Şahin N. Green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles by using ficus carica leaf extract and its antioxidant activity. Biointerface Res. Appl. Chem., 12, 2108–16 (2022) https://doi.org/10.33263/BRIAC122.21082116.

Shreelakshmi SV, Chaitrashree N, Kumar SS, Shetty PG. Fruits of Ixora coccinea are a rich source of phytoconstituents, bioactives, exhibit antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against human prostate carcinoma cells and development of RTS beverage. J. Food Process. Preserv., 45, (2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2020.08.012.

Lara, Jose Luis Ballesteros,Kevin Gabriel Cedeño Vinces, Emily Carolina Chong Hermenegildo NSCC. Ixora coccinea: A Phytochemical Treasure Trove - Unveiling Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activity for Ecuadorian Biotechnology. (2024). https://doi.org/10.17163/abyaups.92.702

Muhammad H, Qasim M, Ikram A, Versiani MA, Tahiri IA, Yasmeen K, Abbasi MW, Azeem M, Ali ST, Gul B. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Ixora coccinea root and quantification of phenolic compounds using HPLC. South African J. Bot., 135, 71–9 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2020.08.012.

Kalusalingam M, Balakrishnan V. Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Analysis of Indigenously used Folk Medicinal Plant Ixora notoniana Wall. Curr. Trends Biotechnol. Pharm., 16, 64–76 (2022) https://doi.org/10.5530/ctbp.2022.1.7.

Veeramuthu K, Annadurai P, Gideon DA, Sivaramakrishnan R, Sundarrajan B, Dhandayuthapani K, Pugazhendhi A. In silico molecular docking approach and in vitro cytotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of Ixora brachiata Roxb. Process Biochem., 124, 150–9 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2022.11.014.

Rajayan JS, Chandrasekar V, Duraipandian C, Rajendran K. In Vitro Evaluation of Extracts From Ixora Species for a Potential Phytosomal Formulation. Cureus, (2024) https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.55396.

Ochigbo VI, Agu ST, Awulu AA, Akor VO, Ochanya D. Hydroethanolic extract of Ixora coccinea leaves inhibits testicular and epididymal toxicity associated with antitumor drug Cisplatin in rats. GSC Biol. Pharm. Sci., 21, 256–64 (2022) https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2022.21.1.0401.

Ogbole OO, Nkumah A, Akinleye TE, Olisaedu FE, Attah AF. Evaluation of multifunctional activity of bioactive peptide fractions from the leaves of Nauclea diderrichii (De Wild. and T. Durand) Merrill and Ixora brachypoda DC. Phytomedicine Plus, 1, (2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100019.

Subramanian AK, Prabhakar R, Vikram NR, Dinesh SS, Rajeshkumar S. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of silymarin/hydroxyapatite/chitosan nanocomposites and its cytotoxic effect using brine shrimp lethality assay. J. Popul. Ther. Clin. Pharmacol. = J. la Ther. des Popul. la Pharmacol. Clin., 28, e71–7 (2022) https://doi.org/10.47750/jptcp.2022.874.

Dhatwalia J, Kumari A, Chauhan A. et al. Rubus ellipticus fruits extract-mediated cuprous oxide nanoparticles: in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicity study. Chem. Pap., 77, 1377–1393 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-022-02551-z

Rajeshkumar S, Santhoshkumar J, Kumar PS et al. Characterization and evaluation of cytotoxic effect, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of zinc oxide nanoparticles derived from Justicia adhatoda. Appl Nanosci, 13, 3993–4004 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-022-02670-9.

Lubna A, A-S Mustafa MJ. Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from cuminum cyminum(cumin)seed extract. Res. J. Pharm. Technol., 14, 4349–54 (2021) https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360X.2021.00755.

Joseph S, Nallaswamy D, Rajeshkumar S, Dathan PC, Rasheed N, Tharani M, Jacob J, Jose L. An in vitro evaluation of anti-oxidant properties of novel nano-composite material containing titanium oxide, zinc oxide and green tea extract. Med J Malaysia, 80, 52-8 (2025)

Niharika P, Sandhya R, Rajeshkumar S. Anticariogenic activity of novel herbal formulations (Amla, neem) mediated silver nanoparticles-an in vitro study. Int. J. Dent. Oral Sci., 8, (2021) https://doi.org/10.19070/2377-8075-21000660.

Anushya P, Geetha R V, Kumar SR. Evaluation of Anti Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Effect of Copper Nanoparticles Synthesised Using Seed Extract of Mucuna pruriens. J. Pharm. Res. Int., 816–24 (2021) https://doi.org/10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i47b33188.

de Souza RI, de Oliveira JBV, Sivek TW, de Albuquerque Vita N, Canavez ADPM, Schuck DC, Cestari MM, Lorencini M, Leme DM. Prediction of acute fish toxicity (AFT) and fish embryo toxicity (FET) tests by cytotoxicity assays using liver and embryo zebrafish cell lines (ZFL and ZEM2S). Chemosphere, 346, (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140592.

Majeed S, Danish M, Zakariya NA, Hashim R, Ansari MT, Alkahtani S, Hasnain MS. In Vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Antidiabetic Activities and Glucose Uptake through 2-NBDG by Hep-2 Liver Cancer Cells Treated with Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles. Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev., 2022, (2022) https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1646687.

Ashrafi-Saiedlou S, Rasouli-Sadaghiani M, Fattahi M et al. Biosynthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles fabricated using cell-free supernatant of Pseudomonas fluorescens for antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and photocatalytic applications. Sci. Rep., 15, 1–22 (2025) https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84974-0.

Mucha P, Skoczyńska A, Małecka M, Hikisz P, Budzisz E. Overview of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of selected plant compounds and their metal ions complexes. molecules,26,4886 (2021). https://doi.org//10.3390/molecules26164886