Green synthesis, characterization, and application of copper nanoparticles as an anticancer agent using Arbutus pavarii Pamp . leaves extract

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized via a biosynthesis approach and evaluated for their potential biomedical applications, especially in cancer therapy. Using UV–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for particle size and morphology, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), zeta potential analysis for surface charge evaluation, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements, the CuNPs were thoroughly characterized. The results show that the CuNPs possessed a spherical morphology with particle sizes in the range of 11.79 to 19.61 nm and were embedded in biomolecules from Arbutus pavarii Pamp (A. pavarii Pamp.) leaves extract. Hemocompatibility studies demonstrated that the CuNPs exhibit low hemolytic activity at therapeutic doses. Notably, the CuNPs showed significant inhibition of proliferation in lung cancer cells (A549) and lymphoblastic leukemia (CCRF-CEM), exhibited low hemolytic activity toward human erythrocytes (RBCs) at therapeutic doses, and downregulated cancer-associated gene expression. Furthermore, a quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that CuNPs significantly modulated the expression of cancer-associated genes. At the same time, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-8, p53, and Bax were downregulated, and the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 was upregulated in the lymphoblastic leukemia (CCRF-CEM) cell line, indicating a complex non-classical mechanistic response. The current study concluded that both the green-synthesized CuNPs and the crude plant extract exhibited anti-proliferative effects, with the phytochemical-capped CuNPs exhibiting a significantly stronger anticancer capability than the crude extract alone.