Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Ficus pumila and their multifunctional biomedical and...

Global health community are highly concerned about emergence of antibiotic-resistant infectious disease and drug - resistance cancer caused mainly due to environmental pollution, which can be overcome with development of multipotent and cost-effective pharmaceuticals. Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are now recognised as promising solution for drug delivery, diagnosis, and therapeutic agents to combat these dreadful disorders.

The findings of this research focussed on synthesis of CuO NPs via Ficus pumila phytochemical rich leaf extract as a sustainable approach. CuO NPs was investigated for structural and morphological, and stability features. Their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anticancer, photocatalytic, and biocompatibility properties were systematically evaluated.

Fabricated CuO NPs showed absorption maxima at 420 nm, XRD spectrum confirmed cubic crystalline structure with average particle size of 133 nm and surface charge of -15.3 mV indicating CuO NPs is stable and suitable for biomedical applications. SEM and TEM examination showed the presence of cubic to slightly spherical morphology. EDX results confirmed that the CuO NPs were compositionally pure. Fabricated CuO NPs demonstrated remarkable bactericidal efficiency against nosocomial pathogens E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus and antibiofilm activity with BIC value of 71 ± 0.12 %, 62.2 ± 0.02 % and 67.9 ± 0.03 % respectively, implying CuO NPs is suitable for implantable medical devices. Furthermore, CuO NPs and positive control exhibited antiproliferative efficiency against glioblastoma cells U87MG with respective IC₅₀ values of 50 ± 0.05 and 42.5 ± 0.05 μg/mL, indicating strong antiproliferative potential. Fluorescent microscopic studies revealed, CuO NPs enhances intracellular ROS level in U87MG cells, altering mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby activating intrinsic apoptotic pathway leading to cell death. Additionally, the CuO NPs degraded methylene blue dye by 89.49 % within 120 min. In addition, CuO NPs also showed dose dependant free radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ value of 20.5 ± 0.05 μg/mL illustrating its antioxidant potential. Biocompatibility tests confirmed non-hemolytic and non-toxic behaviour in zebrafish embryos.

Eco-friendly synthesized CuO NPs showed multipotent activities such as antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anticancer, and photocatalytic based dye degradation. Their stability and safety profile suggest they are promising candidates for future biomedical and environmental use.