Dillenia indica bark extract mediated bio-fabrication of copper nanoparticles: characterisation, antioxidant and anticancer activity in vitro

Dillenia indica is a medicinal plant used in the indigenous system of medicine for plethora of diseases. In this study, the efficacy of ethanolic bark extract of Dillenia indica was investigated for green synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). Obtained CuNPs were crystalline, spherical in shape within a size range of 20.87–45.73 nm, well dispersed showing strong negative zeta potential value (−41.8 mV) as analysed by XRD, TEM, FESEM and particle size analyser. The elemental composition of CuNPs was examined through EDX spectrum followed by field map analysis. FTIR spectra showed the presence of active biomolecules responsible for reduction of copper ions as well as for surface functionalisation of CuNPs. Synthesised CuNPs showed marked free radical scavenging efficacy at IC50 of 37.2 µg/mL. MTT assay in CuNPs treated A549 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines for 24 and 48 h showed substantial decrease of cell viability with increase in concentration. Further, morphological alterations like cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation and blebbing were remarkably observed in CuNPs treated both the cell lines as assayed through AO/EtBr and DAPI staining methods. Thus, D. indica bark extract-mediated CuNPs were potential free radical scavengers and effective cytotoxic against A549 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines.