Green route synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Vitex altissima [L] leaves extract and their potential anticancer activity against A549 cell lines and its apoptosis induction

Abstract

Green route synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using Vitex altissima leaves extract has gained a greater interest and it is simple and ecofriendly. It has been confirmed by using different techniques such as X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, Zeta potential, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. In this study, we examined the cytotoxic effect of CuO NPs on human lung cancer cells (A549). Cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay, which results in IC₅₀ values. We found that CuO NPs exerted a cytotoxic effect on A549 cells. Evaluation of anticancer potential through induction of apoptosis by flow cytometry was confirmed by annexin V and propidium iodide staining. The present result indicates a substantial rise in early and late apoptotic cell percentage, caspase-3 expression, and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase in A549 cells. Overall, A549 cells showed that an increase in apoptotic activity due to increased caspase-3 expression revealed that CuO NPs has anticancer property.

Highlights

• Green route synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using Vitex altissima [L.] leaves extract by combustion method.

• Green route synthesis of CuO NPs possessed a crystalline nature, which perfectly matched the monoclinic structure.

• Highly remarkable cytotoxicity effect of CuO NPs on human lung cancer cells (A549).

• The cytotoxicity of CuO NPs has potential anticancer activity against A549 cell line via induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Keywords:

• Copper oxide nanoparticles
• Vitex altissima
• cytotoxicity
• MTT assay
• apoptosis
• cell cycle
• caspase-3

Disclosure statement

All authors declare no conflict of interest

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Tumkur University, Tumakuru, Karnataka, India, for providing the lab facilities needed for the study.