Biosynthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and Their in vitro Cytotoxicity towards Nasopharynx Cancer (KB Cells) Cell Lines

Background and Objective: Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) have attained extensive scientific interest because of their wide range of applications in nanotechnology. This study was conducted to establish green fabrication of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using Arbutus unedo leaf extract and examine the in vitro cytotoxicity against nasopharynx cancer cell lines (KB cells). Materials and Methods: CuO NPs were synthesized by mixing 25 mL of Arbutus unedo leaf extract with 5 mL of CuSO4 (0.01M) aqueous solution and allowed for stirring for 10 min and heating at 100 degrees C for 20 min to obtain brown color solution. The prepared CuO NPs have been studied by XRD, FT-IR, UV Vis, EDS and TEM characterization techniques. The in vitro cytotoxicity against KB cells was determined using a 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Results: TEM and DLS analysis revealed the formation of spherical CuO NPs with mean particle size of 33 nm. The crystalline nature of the synthesized NPs was confirmed by XRD measurements of dried particles. The in-vitro cytotoxicity of Arbutus unedo extract mediated CuO NPs against nasopharynx cancer cell lines (KB cells) have confirmed their biocompatible nature. Conclusion: A facile and less expensive approach for the fabrication of CuO NPs using Arbutus unedo leaf extract is described. The CuO NPs showed their biocompatibility nature towards KB cells.