Alpinia officinarum mediated copper oxide nanoparticles: synthesis and its antimicrobial anticancer and antioxidant activity

Abstract

Objective

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized from root extracts of Alpinia officinarum and tested for antibacterial as well as cytotoxic effects against HT-29 and MCF-7 cancer cells in this work.

Methods

UV-visible, FT-IR, FESEM, EDX, and DLS spectroscopy were used to analyze the CuNPs that were synthesized from Alpinia officinarum extracts. Several microorganisms, including the bacterial Staphylococcus aureus, the protozoan Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the cyanobacterium Escherichia coli, and the yeast Candida albicans, were tested for their antibiotic properties. We used the MTT test to measure cytotoxicity and DCFH-DA staining to quantify intracellular reactive oxygen molecules (ROS) generation. Also examined were alterations in apoptotic morphological characteristics and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

Results

CuNPs displayed 550- and 400-nm surface plasmon resonance peaks, confirming their synthesis. There was a noticeable antimicrobial effect of the ethanolic root extract, with inhibition zones for bacteria measuring between 1.1 ± 1.3 mm and 2.4 ± 0.7 mm, and for fungi reaching up to 2.4 ± 1.3 mm. At IC50 of 30 µg/ml was observed in the HT-29 cell line, while the cell line MCF-7 exhibited an IC50 in 45 µg/ml. Elevated ROS levels and altered MMP in the treated cells demonstrated improved apoptotic activity. Further evidence of oxidative stress as its destructive mechanism was the marked effect on scavenging enzyme production and lipid peroxidation markers.

Novelty:

The study's originality comes from its eco-friendly and sustainable green production of nanoparticles of copper oxide utilizing Alpinia officinarum is a natural mediator. This approach can improve the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles by enhancing their antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant capabilities. They show promise as a medicinal agent due to the synergistic effects that may result from combining plant-derived bioactive chemicals.