Bioactive Copper Oxide Nanoparticles from Piper betle: A Green Route to Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Agents

Abstract

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONP) are gaining interest due to their broadspectrum biological effects. Green synthesis using plants for medicinal purposes offers an ecological solution with improved biocompatibility. Piper betle, which is rich in biologically active phytochemicals, was used for the non-toxic production of CuONP. The water-soluble leaf extract of Piper betle was utilised as a reducing and stabilising agent in the synthesis of CuONP. The synthesised nanoparticles were characterised by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy. Standard in vitro tests assessed cellular functions, including inflammation, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties. Nanoparticle formation was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, showing an absorption peak at approximately 280 nm. FTIR spectra indicated the presence of functional groups such as -OH and -C=O, suggesting antioxidants contribute to the reduction process. XRD analysis revealed that CuO has a monoclinic crystalline structure, with average crystallite sizes ranging from 25 to 40 nm. SEM images showed predominantly spherical particles with minimal aggregation. Biologically, CuONP exhibited significant cytotoxic effects, strong antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay, and effective antibacterial properties against various infections. The study demonstrates that Piper betle can be utilised to successfully produce eco-friendly CuONP with interesting morphological and biological features. Due to their multifunctional bioactivity and environmentally friendly synthesis, these nanoparticles have potential applications in biomedical fields.