Nanotechnology has advanced human health and medicine through the development of multifunctional biomaterials. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making them promising candidates for oral disease prevention and management. Functionalization with apigenin may further enhance their therapeutic potential for disease management and wellbeing. To prepare apigenin-functionalized ZnO NPs and evaluate their cytotoxicity, antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Apigenin-functionalized ZnO NPs were prepared by dispersing zinc oxide powder in apigenin solution. Morphology was analyzed by SEM. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality assay. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Enterococcus faecalis. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities were evaluated using BSA denaturation and DPPH assays, respectively. SEM showed quasi-spherical nanoparticles with mild aggregation. Cytotoxicity testing indicated favorable biocompatibility. Antimicrobial activity increased with concentration, with maximum inhibition against S. mutans (12 mm at 100 µL). Anti-inflammatory activity reached 75%, while antioxidant scavenging activity reached 82% at 100 µL. Apigenin-functionalized ZnO nanoparticles demonstrated promising biocompatibility and biological activity, suggesting potential applications in oral disease management, medicine, and infectious disease control. Further in vivo studies are required.
