Green-synthesized copper oxide nanostructures for potential multifaceted biomedical applications

Abstract

In the present study, Annona squamosa leaf extract was used as a reducing and capping agent for the facile green synthesis of nano-copper oxide (nano-CuO) particles. The optical, structural and morphological properties of the as synthesized nano-CuO were analyzed using UV-Vis, zeta potential, SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and Raman analyses. Formation of nano-CuO particles and their size was initially confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and zeta potential analysis. The results from SEM, TEM, XRD and Raman analyses confirmed the monoclinic structure of CuO with 2D leaf-shaped morphology in the nanoscale with uniform symmetry. The FTIR spectrum indicates the functional groups in Annona squamosa leaf extract that are accountable for the CuO formation and bonding nature of CuO. Furthermore, these CuO nanostructures and their combination with neomycin were explored for antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion method, which revealed additive activity. The cytotoxicity of the as-synthesized nano-CuO was tested by MTT assay against HeLa (IC₅₀ ∼25 μg mL⁻¹) and HEK cells, which ensured efficient anticancer activity with optimum biocompatibility. Additionally, a wound healing assay of gel formulations of the prepared CuO nanostructures and their combinations with neomycin on albino Wistar rats showed enhanced healing as evident from the histopathological analysis.