Cytotoxic, apoptotic and necrotic effects of starch coated copper nanoparticles on Capan 1 pancreatic cancer cells

In the present study we utilized a green synthesis approach by reduction route with ascorbic acid in the presence of starch as the capping agent. Here we aimed to generate a stable starch coating copper nanoparticles (Cu-SNPs) and to investigate their apoptotic and necrotic effects on Capan 1 pancreatic cancer cell line. The water soluble monodisperse starch-protected zero-valent copper nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, XPS, FTIR analysis. TEM images showed that the presence of metallic copper nanoparticles with anisotrophic morphologies and the sizes of 90% copper nanoparticles were in 50 nm and 80 nm range. Cetyl-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) coated copper nanoparticles was also synthesized to compare the stability of starch coating copper nanoparticles. It was also found that copper nanoparticles were significantly protected by starch coating. Cu-SNPs exhibited stronger antimicrobial effects on Staphylocossus and Enterococcus. In vitro cell culture studies demonstrated that Cu-SNPs were not cytotoxic on L929-fibroblasts and Capan 1 pancreatic cancer cell in all concentrations used here (6.25-100 ppm) in different extends. The cytotoxic, necrotic, and apoptotic effects of Cu-SNPs on the Capan 1 pancreatic cancer cell line have been exhibited. Furthermore, the micronucleus test and hemolytic activity test were also performed.