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<p>Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) have emerged as promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications due to their intrinsic redox activity and biocompatibility. However, most green synthesis approaches rely on crude plant extracts with undefined composition, limiting reproducibility and surface functionality. Here, we report a sustainable and reproducible route for producing dual-functional CuONPs using the essential oils of <i>Schinus terebinthifolius</i> (pink pepper, CuONPs-PP) and <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> (lemongrass, CuONPs-LG) as both reducing and biofunctionalizing agents. This is the first demonstration of pink-pepper-mediated CuONP synthesis and of an essential-oil-based CuONP system simultaneously exhibiting selective anticancer and potent antibacterial activity. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization (TEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and EDX) confirmed the formation of monoclinic CuO nanoparticles coated with terpenoid-rich organic layers. Biologically, CuONPs-PP showed higher efficacy against human melanoma cells (EC₅₀ = 0.90&#xa0;µg mL⁻¹) than CuONPs-LG (EC₅₀ = 3.24&#xa0;µg mL⁻¹), while both displayed markedly lower cytotoxicity toward fibroblasts (EC₅₀ ≥ 4.4&#xa0;µg mL⁻¹). Compared with the reference drug doxorubicin, the nanoparticles exhibited comparable potency but superior selectivity. Antibacterial evaluation by broth microdilution with resazurin readout revealed MICs as low as 4–16&#xa0;µg mL⁻¹ against multidrug-resistant <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. and <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>. These findings highlight a new multifunctional and eco-friendly nanoplatform, where the synergistic interplay between CuO’s redox core and essential-oil-derived terpenoids enables targeted anticancer activity and efficient bacterial inhibition—offering a sustainable pathway toward next-generation therapeutic nanomaterials.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Dual Anticancer and Antibacterial Effects of Green-Synthesized CuO Nanoparticles Mediated by Pink Pepper and Lemongrass Essential Oils

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月16日

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  • Roberta Albino dos Reis,
  • Cyntia Silva Oliveira,
  • Nathália S. Barbosa,
  • Vitor G. Vital,
  • Ricardo A. Galdino da Silva,
  • Suzan Pantaroto de Vasconcellos,
  • Giselle Cerchiaro,
  • Amedea Barozzi Seabra

摘要

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) have emerged as promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications due to their intrinsic redox activity and biocompatibility. However, most green synthesis approaches rely on crude plant extracts with undefined composition, limiting reproducibility and surface functionality. Here, we report a sustainable and reproducible route for producing dual-functional CuONPs using the essential oils of Schinus terebinthifolius (pink pepper, CuONPs-PP) and Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass, CuONPs-LG) as both reducing and biofunctionalizing agents. This is the first demonstration of pink-pepper-mediated CuONP synthesis and of an essential-oil-based CuONP system simultaneously exhibiting selective anticancer and potent antibacterial activity. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization (TEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and EDX) confirmed the formation of monoclinic CuO nanoparticles coated with terpenoid-rich organic layers. Biologically, CuONPs-PP showed higher efficacy against human melanoma cells (EC₅₀ = 0.90 µg mL⁻¹) than CuONPs-LG (EC₅₀ = 3.24 µg mL⁻¹), while both displayed markedly lower cytotoxicity toward fibroblasts (EC₅₀ ≥ 4.4 µg mL⁻¹). Compared with the reference drug doxorubicin, the nanoparticles exhibited comparable potency but superior selectivity. Antibacterial evaluation by broth microdilution with resazurin readout revealed MICs as low as 4–16 µg mL⁻¹ against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These findings highlight a new multifunctional and eco-friendly nanoplatform, where the synergistic interplay between CuO’s redox core and essential-oil-derived terpenoids enables targeted anticancer activity and efficient bacterial inhibition—offering a sustainable pathway toward next-generation therapeutic nanomaterials.

Graphical Abstract