Design and synthesis of copper nanoparticles for the treatment of human esophageal cancer: introducing a novel chemotherapeutic supplement

Abstract

In this study, copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were synthesized in an eco-friendly pathway applying Mentha piperita extract as reducing/stabilizing agent. The morphological and physicochemical features of the prepared nanoparticles were determined using several advanced techniques like FE-SEM, EDX, and UV–Vis studies. The as synthesized Cu NPs was explored in the antioxidant and anti-human esophageal cancer tests. The in vitro cytotoxic and anti-esophageal cancer effects of biologically synthesized Cu NPs against human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (KYSE-270), human caucasian esophageal carcinoma (OE33), and adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction (ESO26) cancer cell lines were assessed. The anti-esophageal cancer properties of the Cu NPs could significantly remove KYSE-270, OE33, and ESO26 cancer cell lines in a time and concentration-dependent manner by MTT assay. The IC₅₀ of the Cu NPs were 241, 278, and 240 µg/mL against KYSE-270, OE33, and ESO26 cancer cell lines. The antioxidant activity of Cu NPs was determined by DPPH method. The Cu NPs showed the high antioxidant activity according to the IC₅₀ value. It seems that the anti-human esophageal cancer effect of recent nanoparticles is due to their antioxidant effects.

Keywords:

• Cu nanoparticles
• green synthesis
• esophageal cancer
• chemotherapeutic supplement

Additional information

Funding

Key Research and Development (R&D) Projects of Shanxi Province (201903D321168). Esophageal cancer minimally invasive surgical team projects of Shanxi Cancer Hospital.