Investigation of antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer and wound healing properties of eco-friendly synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles from Plumeria rubra leaf extract

Plants serve as a rich source of bioactive agents and coupling them with carriers using nanotechnology has recently become an effective therapeutic approach in pharmacognosy. Metal oxides, especially copper oxide (CuO), have been employed in synthesizing nanoparticles due to their efficient reducing properties. The purpose of this work was to examine the physicochemical, antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and wound healing abilities of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) synthesized using Plumeria rubra leaf extract. FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, AFM, and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to confirm the formation of CuONPs, and the results showed that they were spherical in shape and 35 nm in size. DPPH and nitric oxide antioxidant assays revealed that they possess effective free radical scavenging ability. CuONPs showed bactericidal activity against human pathogenic bacteria. The anticancer effect of CuONPs was assessed on the Neuro-2a (N2a) neuroblastoma cells. Both P. rubra leaf extract and CuONPs exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity with morphological distortions and apoptosis, along with a loss of membrane integrity. In vivo analysis of CuONPs for their wound healing ability in Wistar albino rats showed a better wound closure percentage compared to that of the control animals. Based on our findings, CuONPs may be applied as a potential therapeutic agent in developing treatments for a spectrum of various diseases.