Green Synthesis of Silver and Copper Oxide Nanoparticles From Leaf, Stem, and Root Extract of Ocimum Tenuiflorum: Biochemical Analysis and Molecular Docking Study against Potential Cancer Receptors

Abstract

Nanotechnology has grown significantly and keeps advancing quickly, with more applications aimed at improving human health and meeting different needs. Overexpression of certain receptors is seen in most cases of cancer. Targeting these receptors with nanoparticles provides a promising way to treat patients with resistant cancers. This study aimed to synthesize copper oxide (CuO NPs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using leaf, stem, and root extracts of Ocimum tenuiflorum, with ethanol as the solvent. The researchers characterized the nanoparticles using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The phytochemicals in the extracts were analyzed to identify secondary metabolites. A molecular docking study was conducted to assess the binding interactions between the phytochemicals in the nanoparticles and three potential cancer targets: estrogen, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and somatostatin receptors. The results confirmed the successful synthesis of CuO and Ag NPs from different parts of Ocimum tenuiflorum. Ag NPs showed a characteristic UV–Vis peak at 419–422 nm, while CuO NPs had a peak at 262 nm. FT-IR analysis showed that functional groups from secondary metabolites like polyphenols and terpenoids were involved in nanoparticle synthesis and capping. Molecular docking revealed strong binding interactions of cirsimaritin with somatostatin (binding energy: −96.8 kJ/mol) and of rosmarinic acid with the same receptor (−88.4 kJ/mol). Overall, the study concludes that cirsimaritin and rosmarinic acid in Ag and CuO NPs effectively target somatostatin and other receptors. This requires further in vitro studies to explore their therapeutic potential against various cancer cell lines.