Bio-functionalized CuO nanoparticles induced apoptotic activities in human breast carcinoma cells and toxicity against Aspergillus flavus: An in vitro approach

This study demonstrates a comprehensive and cost-effective one-step rapid bio-fabrication of Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract (ELE) bio-actives functionalized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs); and analyze its apoptotic and toxic effects in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells and Aspergillus flavus. The state-of-art characterization data confirmed the thermal-stability of (i) ELE-CuONPs and (ii) surface associated ELE bio-active compounds bearing characteristic functional groups (aromatic–OH, polymeric–OH, C–O, and C[dbnd]O) over a range of conventional temperatures (30 °C–80 °C), and microwave (MW) heat (140 °C). The MW accelerated ELE-CuONPs (16.9 nm) treated (25−100 μg/ml) MCF-7 cells showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in viability due to the dysfunction of mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ROS accumulation, and disruption in normal cell cycle progression. Moreover, transcriptional up-regulation of mRNA expression of p53 (8.8 fold), bax (1.42 fold), caspase-3 (2.42 fold), and caspase-9 (3.34 fold) genes in the MCF-7 cells confirmed a mechanistic anti-cancer landscape of synthesized ELE-CuONPs. Furthermore, ELE-CuONPs inhibited sclerotia germination and growth of A. flavus. Conclusively, this study is novel in better demonstrating the formation of ELE-CuONPs that meets the principles of green chemistry. These findings can be used to develop strategies for the management of cancer and fungal infections affecting human health.