Exploring the anticancer potency and photocatalytic efficiency of bio-derived CuO nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf extract

Abstract

Copper Oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized by a simple one-pot synthesis process using leaf extract from Moringa oleifera. A range of analytical methods were utilized to examine the physicochemical characteristics of CuO NPs in their prepared state. The existence of CuO nanoparticles is strongly suggested by the finding of a maximal absorption peak at 293 nm, which was then used to calculate the band gap energy (3.82 eV). The produced CuO NPs had a d-spacing value of 0.215 nm and an assessed crystalline size of approximately 21 nm, indicating good crystallinity. The EDAX spectrum confirms that the produced CuO NPs have a clearly aggregated structure and remarkable elemental purity. These data compellingly demonstrate the effectiveness of our preparatory strategy. Additionally, MCF7 and A549 breast and lung cancer cells were used to test the produced CuO NPs' potential for in vitro anticancer activities. These results demonstrated that different concentrations of CuO nanoparticles exhibited significant and proportionate toxicity toward the evaluated cell lines, underscoring its potential as an effective cancer-fighting strategy. Additionally, under UV light, the as-prepared CuO NPs were used to break down the dyes malachite green (MG) and titan yellow (TY). According to the present results, there was a discernible degree of degradation of 84.7 % and 79.03 % for MG and TY, respectively in basic medium at the 140th and 110th minute. The alignment of first order and 0th order kinetics for MG and TY dyes, respectively, was confirmed when the obtained data were later further examined for the reaction kinetic studies. In addition to being a powerful tool for developing novel treatments for lung and breast cancer, the produced CuO NPs can also be used to break down dangerous cationic and anionic dyes.