Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity assessment of N-acetyl-l-cysteine capped ZnO nanoparticles as camptothecin delivery system.

•Camptothecin-loaded and N-acetyl-l-cysteine capped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared.•Resultant nanoparticles had double-layer structure with a diameter of ∼70 nm.•Drug-loaded nanoparticles had almost no hemolytic activity.•An augmented anticancer effect of nanoconjugate complex was concluded in A549.