Synthesis, characterization
and biomedical applications of Berberine–Cuo nanoparticles for non-small cell lung
cancer therapy
Sakthivel Manju Bargavi, Malchi Suresh, Narayanan Doss Prabhavathy Devi and Kodaganti
Naresh Kumar
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 30(1); 93-101;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/301rjce0930101; (2026)
Abstract
Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, especially
NSCLC is the majority of cases affecting patients’ survival and quality of life.
Conventional treatments are often limited by high cost, dose-limiting toxicity and
poor therapeutic outcomes. To address these challenges, we developed an eco-friendly
synthesis of berberine-incorporated copper oxide nanoparticles (BER-CuONPs) using
Solanum torvum (Turkey berry). The synthesis was confirmed by a characteristic color
change (yellow to olive green) and UV–visible spectroscopy with a maximum absorption
peak at 400–450 nm. Characterization by SEM-EDX, TEM, Zeta potential and AFM revealed
spherical, well-dispersed nanoparticles with an average size of ~22 nm, moderate
stability, controlled surface roughness and favorable physicochemical properties
for biomedical applications.
The cytotoxicity effect of BER-CuONPs demonstrated enhanced anticancer activity
with a significantly lower IC50 value (49.9 ± 2 μg/mL) compared to BER (122.4 ±
2 μg/mL) and CuONPs (147 ± 2 μg/mL) in NCI-H460 cells, while retaining low toxicity
in HEK-293 cells. The wound healing assay confirmed dose-dependent inhibition of
cell migration and AO/EtBr staining validated apoptosis induction comparable to
cisplatin. Therefore, BER-CuONPs represent a promising multifunctional nanoplatform
for NCI-H460 cells. Future studies should focus on in vivo validation, mechanistic
pathways, pharmacokinetics and systemic toxicity for clinical translation.
