Molecular insight to in vitro biocompatibility of phytofabricated copper oxide nanoparticles with human embryonic kidney cells.

Aim: To investigate the biocompatibility of green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO Np) using floral extract of Calotropis gigantea in room condition.

Materials & Methods: Green synthesized and characterized CuO Np was evaluated for their cellular and molecular biocompatibility by experimentally and computational molecular docking.

Results: Synthesized CuO NP was found to have a size 32 ± 09 nm with ζ potential -35 ± 12 mV. LC value was found to be 190 μg/ml. In vitro and in silico cytotoxicity analysis with HEK293 cells revealed the cytotoxic effect of CuO Np as consequences of interaction with histidine and arginine amino acid residues of Sod3 and p53 proteins via hydrogen bond of length 3.09 and 3.32 Å leading to oxidative stress ensuing toward apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Conclusion: The outcomes proved the synthesized material as an alternative to the conventional method of synthesizing copper nanoparticles for biomedical and clinical applications.