Green Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Nanoparticles Using Urginea wightii and its Biological Activities

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the potential of copper and copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized from the bulb extract of Urginea wightii (U. wightii). Methods: Copper and copper oxide nanoparticles (Cu-Cu2O NPs) were synthesized by the reduction method and were characterized by using UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX. Antioxidant activity was calculated by DPPH and ABTS method. In vitro antimicrobial activity by agar well diffusion method and cytotoxic activities by MTT assay. Findings: The presence of Cu-Cu2O NPs was confirmed by visible colour change, XRD pattern showed distinctive peaks corresponding to 110, 111, 200, 220, and 222 planes revealing the crystalline nature; FTIR spectra showed the presence of different functional groups such as alcohol (OH-stretch), alkene (C=C stretching) and amines (NH bending), etc. SEM studies revealed the morphological and structural characteristics of biosynthesized NPs and the percentage of inhibition was 92% and 90% at 100 mg/mL respectively. Further studies of in vitro antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of Cu-Cu2O NPs of U. wightii, showed the highest inhibition zone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22 mm). The NPs exhibited cytotoxic activity against the A549 lung cancer cell line in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 of 83.629 mg/mL. Novelty: This study showed that Cu-Cu2O NPs synthesized from U. wightii are a good antioxidant agent, potent antimicrobial, and cytotoxicity, hence can be used in clinical therapeutic applications. Keywords: Urginea wightii; green synthesis; antioxidant; antimicrobial; cytotoxicity