Green Synthesis of Copper-Iron Nanoparticles Using the Peel of Momordica charantia and its Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Effect on Human Liver and Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Nanoparticles’ size-dependent features make them exceptional and necessary in a wide range of human activities. We examined the toxicity and apoptotic activities of Cu/Fe nanocomposite (green Cu/Fe nanoparticles [g-Cu-FeNPs]) on human liver (HuH-7) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells for 24 h. Prior to the treatment of g-Cu-FeNPs, the size of the nanoparticles (NPs) was determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The shape of g-Cu-FeNPs was polygonal, with a size of 24 ± 2 nm. The cytotoxicity of g-Cu-FeNPs on both cells was determined by using MTT and NRU assays, and the cytotoxicity of NPs was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. On the basis of the MTT result, the median inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 24 h was determined to be 324 and 368 μg/mL for HuH-7 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. The generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and catalase levels in HuH-7 cells was higher than in MCF-7 cells at 216 µg/mL of g-Cu-FeNPs. The cell death mechanism was assessed using Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide staining. Maximum apoptotic and necrotic cells were observed at a higher concentration of NPs in HuH-7 cells than in MCF-7 calls. This study warrants the application of g-Cu-FeNPs in daily life and provides vital information about the toxicity of g-Cu-FeNPs.