Phytochemically Functionalized Cu and Ag Nanoparticles Embedded in MWCNTs for Enhanced Antimicrobial and Anticancer...

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Nanomedicine utilizes engineered nanomaterials for advanced diagnostics and therapeutics.
• Green synthesis of nanoparticles offers sustainable and eco-friendly approaches.
• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess unique properties suitable for hybrid nanomaterial development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) functionalized with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).
• To evaluate the biocide and anticancer activities of the synthesized biohybrid nanomaterials.
• To assess the biocompatibility of these nanomaterials with normal and cancerous human cell lines.

Main Methods:

• Copper and silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Terminalia arjuna bark extract under microwave irradiation.
• Nanoparticles were functionalized with well-dispersed MWCNTs in an aqueous medium.
• Characterization was performed using UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, and TEM.
• Antimicrobial activity was tested against bacteria and fungi.
• Cytotoxicity was evaluated against normal Vero cells and human cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, HeLa, SiHa, Hep-G2).

Main Results:

• Phytochemical functionalization of CuNPs and AgNPs with MWCNTs was confirmed.
• The Cu-MWCNTs and Ag-MWCNTs exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity, more effective against bacteria than fungi.
• Biohybrid nanomaterials demonstrated high toxicity towards tested cancer cell lines but were non-toxic to normal Vero cells.
• Cell viability decreased with increasing dose (10-50 µg mL⁻¹) and incubation time (24-72 h).

Conclusions:

• Terminalia arjuna-mediated synthesis provides an effective route for creating functionalized Cu-MWCNTs and Ag-MWCNTs.
• These biohybrid nanomaterials show significant potential as targeted antimicrobial and anticancer agents.
• The selective toxicity profile highlights their promise for therapeutic applications in nanomedicine with minimal harm to healthy cells.