Synthesis and characterization of NiO nanoparticles using Sesbania grandiflora flower to evaluate cytotoxicity

[Display omitted] •NiO nanoparticles were synthesized by using Sesbania grandiflora flower extract.•NiO NPs were characterized by UV–Visible, FT-IR, SEM & XRD techniques.•The size of NiO NPs in range of 19.9–60.4 nm and have rod like structure.•Cytotoxic nature of the NiO NPs was evaluated with MM2 and HeLa cells. Conventional nanoparticle (NP) synthesis based on physical and chemical processes are costly and are mostly associated with harmful effects on environment, whereas the use of plant extract is eco-friendly and cost effective which could act as reducing, stabilizing and capping agent. Herein, the present study is aimed to synthesize nickel oxide nanoparticles from nickel nitrate precursor and Sesbania grandiflora flower extract. Synthesized nickel oxide nanoparticles were characterized by Ultraviolet–Visible, FT-IR, SEM and XRD analyses. Ni-O stretching vibrations at 418 cm−1 in the FT-IR spectrum confirmed the formation of NiO NPs. The XRD pattern revealed the crystallite size of the NiO NPs to be in range of 19.9–60.4 nm. The morphology of the NiO NPs as revealed by the SEM images, which was rod like structure. The anticancer activity of the synthesized NiO NPs was evaluated with MM2 (human breast cancer cells) and HeLa (human cervical cancer cells) and compared with cisplatin. In MM2, the IC50 value of the NiO NPs is 33.57 ± 1.37 µg/mL whereas in HeLa, the IC50 value is 26.92 ± 1.67 µg/mL. The value is significant when compared with the conventional standard drug cisplatin (17.80 ± 0.30 µg/mL for MM2 and 15.06 ± 0.84 µg/mL for HeLa).