Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Eclipta�prostrata leaves extract and their antioxidant and cytotoxic activities

Abstract

The present study outlines the development of a method to synthesize copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) by mixing copper acetate solution with leaf extract of <i>Eclipta prostrata</i> without using any surfactant or external energy. <i>E. prostrata</i> leaf extract function as an excellent reducing agent of copper ions, and the biosynthesized CuNPs are safer for the environment. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern provided evidence for the formation of face-centered cubic structure ranging from 23 to 57 nm, with an average size of 31±1.2 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify the biomolecules and capping reagents in the <i>E. prostrata</i> leaf extract that may be responsible for the reduction of copper ions and the stability of the bioreduced nanoparticles. The biosynthesized CuNPs displayed considerable antioxidant capacity. Similarly, <i>in vitro</i> anticancer studies demonstrated the cytotoxicity value of synthesized CuNPs against tested HepG2 cells. The findings of the present study suggested that biosynthesized CuNPs that utilize extracts of <i>E. prostrata</i> may be used for therapeutic application, and thus are a promising nanomaterial.