Green Synthesis of Althaea Officinalis Extract-Based CuO Nanoparticles and their Biomedical Applications

Abstract Althaea officinalis (A. officinalis) contains a rich bioactive composition with high therapeutic potential, primarily consisting of mucilage and phenolic compounds. The composition enables the ecofriendly green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) suitable for various biomedical applications by offering high reduction capacity and strong stabilizing properties. We performed the green hydrothermal synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (AO@CuO NPs) by using A. officinalis extract. The formation of AO@CuO NPs was confirmed by a visible color change, and characteristic absorbance spectrum measured at 484 nm using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The surface morphologies and charges, chemical and crystal structures, and hydrodynamic diameters of AO@CuO NPs were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Zeta potential, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses. The spherical morphology and particle size (30.0 ± 10.0 nm) of AO@CuO NPs were confirmed by SEM analysis. The surface charge value of (-39.7 ± 3.9 mV) obtained by Zeta measurement. It is worth noting that the AO@CuO NPs possessed strong antimicrobial activity and demonstrated the highest inhibitory effect against P. vulgaris (18.67 ± 1.15 mm). It was determined that they exhibited moderate antioxidant activity using the DPPH method. Additionally, we detected significant antiproliferative (IC₅₀= 28.3, 10.7, and 253.9 µg.ml − 1 ) and proapoptotic potentials of AO@CuO NPs on human lung adenocarcinoma (A549), human colorectal (DLD-1) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cancer cells, respectively. Compared to cisplatin (CP), the apoptotic induction capacity in cancer cell lines was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. Herein, we offer a reliable, sustainable and biocompatible nanotechnology-based biomedical platform approach against resistant infections and cancer. Schematic diagram, presenting the general outline of the research topics. Graphical Abstract Schematic diagram, presenting the general outline of the research topics