Exploring the anticancer potential of green synthesized Zn/Cu nanocomposites from olive leaves against lung cancer

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide, with a significant number of patients succumbing to the disease each year. Olea europaea, commonly known as the olive tree, offers a range of health benefits due to its rich content of antioxidants. In the present study, we have reported the green synthesis of a bimetallic nanocomposite of zinc and copper using the leaf extract of Olea europaea (Zn/Cu NCs@ Olea europaea). The nanoparticles were characterized using common chemical techniques. The antioxidant activity of Zn/Cu NCs@ Olea europaea was evaluated using the DPPH assay. The cytotoxicity and anti-lung cancer activity of Zn/Cu NCs@ Olea europaea were investigated using the MTT assay. The results of XRD analysis and FE-SEM imaging showed a crystalline structure for Zn/Cu NCs@ Olea europaea with a semi-spherical morphology and an average size of 49.37 nm. Zn/Cu NCs@ Olea europaea scavenged the free radical DPPH with an IC₅₀ of 363.42 ± 5.02 µg/mL. Furthermore, Zn/Cu NCs@ Olea europaea exhibited acceptable anti-lung cancer activity by preventing growth in the cell lines SK-MES-1, A-549, and LK-2 with IC₅₀ of 154.00 ± 1.83, 228.83 ± 10.59, and 250.55 ± 8.04 µg/mL respectively. The NPs were inactive against the normal cell lines of HUVEC even at high concentrations. The results of the study indicate that Zn/Cu NCs@ Olea europaea, which is green synthesized with a sufficient nano size, can be considered a potent anti-lung cancer agent.