Green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using Melia azedarach flowers extract and evaluation of their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities

•Methanol extract of M. azedarach flowers, a basic component of Melia skin cream.•Iron oxide nanoparticles mediated by plants are biocompatible and environmentally friendly.•For the green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, Melia azedarach L. in an excellent source.•Melia azedarach L. contains phenolic compounds that act as reducing and capping agents•The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Visible, FT-IR, DLS and AFM.•Melia flower extract and synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles have been investigated for their antioxidant activity.•Antibacterial activity of flower extract and its mediated nanoparticles were evaluated on S. aureus and E. coli.