Harnessing Hemidesmus indicus for eco-friendly CuO nanoparticle synthesis and evaluating its antioxidant and mosquito larvicidal activities

CuO NPs were successfully synthesized using H . indicus leaves extract and evaluated for their antioxidant and mosquito larvicidal activities. The structural, compositional, and morphological properties of the synthesized NPs were thoroughly characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed successful synthesis with absorption wavelength of 229 nm in the aqueous suspension. The FTIR Cu–O stretching in CuO NPs is confirmed by bands at 447 cm -1 , 478 cm -1 , and 517 cm -1 , while polyphenols and flavonoids interact with Cu +2 ions, as indicated by peaks at 3340 cm -1 (O–H), 1599 cm -1 (C=O/aromatic C=C), and 1070 cm -1 (C–O), with phenols playing a role in stabilization. SEM analysis revealed a distinctive flower-like morphology of the CuO NPs with an average particle size of 64.17 nm. The EDX analysis confirmed the elemental composition, with the average weight percentage (Wt. %) of copper at 12.55% and atomic percentage (At. %) at 20.92%. The PXRD analysis, compared with ICDD card No. 01-080-1916, reveals a monoclinic crystalline structure with 90.8% crystallinity and an average particle size of 8.27 nm. The antioxidant activity of the CuO NPs was evaluated using the DPPH assay, yielding an IC 50 value of 1.042 mg/mL, indicating notable free radical scavenging potential. In mosquito larvicidal tests, the nanoparticles exhibited a dose-dependent increase in mortality rates. These findings highlight the simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly nature of the synthesis method. The synthesized CuO NPs, with demonstrated antioxidant and larvicidal activities, hold significant promise for biomedical and environmental applications.