Fabrication of CuO/PdO nanocomposites for biomedical applications

Abstract

CuO, PdO nanoparticles (NPs) and their CuO/PdO nanocomposites were successfully prepared via combination of hydrothermal and calcination approaches. The investigated CuO, PdO NPs and their CuO/PdO nanocomposites were characterized utilizing X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmittance electron microscope (TEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) techniques. The Brunauer, Emmett and Teller Specific Surface Area (BET) equation was employed to calculate the surface area for the investigated compounds and found to be CuO/PdO (0.2) < CuO/PdO (0.1) < PdO<CuO. In antimicrobial evaluations, the CuO, PdO NPs and their CuO/PdO nanocomposites exhibited notable inhibitory zones ranging from 18.10-39.80 mm against Gram (+ve) bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) and 9.25–25.75 mm against Gram (−ve) bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia Coli. Moreover, the investigated compounds show potent antifungal activity against selected strains of fungi (Aspergillus Flavus, Candida albicans, and Fusarium Oxysporum compared to the standard drug (Fluconazol). Furthermore, the potential of the inspected compound potential as anticancer agents were tested on HCT/116, MCF/7, Hep/G2 human cancer cells using the MTT assay in the absence and presence of UV radiation. The CuO, PdO and their CuO/PdO nanocomposites and vinblastine exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 7.65–18.61 μg/μl, 5.25–16.10 μg/μl, and 3.18–12.80 μg/μl, respectively, suggesting their promise in cancer treatment. Antioxidant activity was demonstrated through free radical scavenging assays, with CuO, PdO NPs and their CuO/PdO nanocomposites. They showing significant potential for inhibiting DPPH radical with sequence as follow: CuO/PdO (0.2) NCs (IC50 = 19 μg/ml) > CuO/PdO (0.1) NCs (IC50 = 26 μg/ml) PdO (IC50 = 30 μg/ml) > CuO (IC50 = 35 μg/ml > trolox (IC50 = 40 μg/ml) as standard.