BIOGENIC SYNTHESIS OF CuO NANOPARTICLES LOADED WITH POLYMERIC NANOSCAFFOLDS FROM Padina tetrastromatica EXTRACT: A STRUCTURAL INSIGHT INTO ANTICANCER ACTIVITY ON HT-29 AND MCF-7 CELLS

Abstract

This study developed starch/PVA electrospun nanoscaffolds incorporating Padina tetrastromatica-synthesized CuO nanoparticles (NPs) and evaluated their physicochemical and anticancer properties. UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed CuO NP formation (monoclinic phase) and scaffold integration, while Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a porous, fibrous structure. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated stability up to 300°C, and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed NPs with 108 nm size and -22.13 mV zeta potential. In vitro MTT assays against HT-29 and MCF-7 cells demonstrated concentration-dependent cytotoxicity, with nanoscaffolds exhibiting the highest potency (IC₅₀: 10 15 µg/mL) compared to CuO NPs (15–25 µg/mL) and algal extract (30–45 µg/mL). The nanoscaffolds’ enhanced efficacy is attributed to synergistic effects of CuO NPs and the polymeric matrix, facilitating efficient drug delivery. These results underscore the potential of green-synthesized nanoscaffolds as a biocompatible and effective platform for anticancer therapy.