Evaluation of eco-friendly copper oxide nanoparticles for anticancer activity and antibacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans using molecular docking

Abstract Since copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) have antibacterial qualities, they are extremely helpful in many disciplines, including medicine. Utilizing data from FTIR, zeta potential, DLS, EDX, SEM, and UV–vis, the characteristics of the generated CuO-NPs were examined. CuO-NPs were found to have a spherical form, a surface charge of − 32.5 mV, and a maximum absorbance at 260 nm. Utilizing various methods, the produced CuO-NPs were tested for their antibacterial and anticancer qualities. On agar plates, CuO-NPs made from Mentha spicata leaf extract show fatal activity against Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 at high doses (0.5 mg/mL) includes a 16 mm diameter inhibitory zone. For CuO-NPs, the MIC was found to be 0.25 mg/mL. Furthermore, A dosage of 0.0625 mg/mL CuO-NPs was effective against the biofilm formation of S. mutans ATCC 25175 without affecting the growth of planktonic cells. Based on the findings, the dihydroorotase synthase (DHPR) may be partially or fully responsible for the activity, with the primary interaction seen being the hydrophobic contact with the amino acid residues in the pocket’s active site. It was demonstrated that CuO-NPs reduced OECM-1 cancer cells by 95.8% at a dose of 62.5 μg/mL. It was found that CuO-NPs had an IC 50 value of 227.3 μg/mL on these cells.