Cuprous oxide nanoparticles-based photothermal and chemodynamic synergistic therapy inhibits proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells in vitro

Abstract

To investigate the physicochemical characterization of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles and assess its antitumor effect against gastric cancer cells in vitro. The morphology, particle size and Fenton-like properties of Cu2O nanoparticles were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. CCK-8 assay and Transwell experiments were used for evaluating the in vitro anti-tumor effect of the nanometers in gastric cancer cells. The prepared Cu2O nanoparticles had a quasi-circular structure with a diameter of about 100 nm. The temperature of the nanoparticles increased from 25 to 50 ℃ after irradiation with near-infrared light (NIR, 0.5W/cm2) for 5 min. At a nearly neutral pH (pH=6.5), the nanoparticles catalyzed the generation of a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS). CCK-8 assay and Transwell experiment showed that Cu2O nanoparticles concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells. Cu2O nanoparticles have good photothermal and chemokinetic properties with a strong anti-tumor effect, and can potentially serve as a new therapeutic agent for gastric cancer treatment.