From flowers to function: Structural and biomedical exploration of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Rhododendron arboreum extract.

Objectives: This study was aimed at developing a green, ecologically friendly method for synthesizing iron oxide nanoparticles (α-Fe2O3 NPs) by using Rhododendron arboreum flower extract, as well as evaluating their potential biomedical applications. Method: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the α-Fe2O3 NPs synthesized from the Rhododendron arboreum flower extract. Results: Comprehensive characterization of the synthesized α-Fe2O3 NPs revealed a hydrodynamic diameter of 274.7 nm and a zeta potential of -18.6 mV. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of crystalline α-Fe2O3 with an average crystallite size of 32.03 nm. The nanoparticles exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi, with lower minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values than the flower extract, thus indicating enhanced antimicrobial efficacy. Anti-inflammatory potential, assessed with egg albumin denaturation assays, indicated a significant decrease in inflammation. Furthermore, cytotoxicity evaluations in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines indicated an IC50 value of 22 μg/mL, suggesting promise for cancer therapy applications. Conclusion: These findings highlight the successful green synthesis of α-Fe2O3 NPs with potential biomedical applications in antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer treatments.