Phytofabrication of copper nanoparticles using Momordica cymbalaria fruit extract and their antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Abstract

Copper nanoparticles, or CuNPs, are utilized across various scientific, technological, and engineering domains due to their nanoscale dimensions. The objective of this investigation is to synthesize eco-friendly nanoparticles using Momordica cymbalaria fruit and evaluate their biomedical applications, emphasizing their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory characteristics. SEM analysis revealed that the produced copper nanoparticles were spherical in shape. Using Debye–Scherer equation, the average size of the green synthesized MC-CuNPs was determined to be approximately 14 nm. FTIR analysis revealed the functional groups of biomolecules involved in the stability and bioreduction of MC-CuNPs. The highest zone of inhibition was observed with Proteus vulgaris (23.1 ± 0.8 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (23.3 ± 2.0 mm) compared to Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium with 100 μg/ml MC-CuNPs. MC-CuNPs exhibited significant potential in scavenging free radicals and H₂O_2. The IC₅₀ values of MC-CuNPs for total antioxidant and H₂O₂ scavenging activities were 100 and 50 μg/ml respectively. The anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated against egg albumin's protein denaturation, with the highest level of protein inhibition recorded at 500 μg/ml of MC-CuNPs. Therefore, the synthesized nanoparticles may be utilized for biomedical applications.