ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Giant milkweed plant-based copper oxide nanoparticles for wound dressing application: physicochemical, bactericidal and cytocompatibility profiles

G Ambarasan Govindasamy, Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. Mydin, Nor Hazliana Harun, Wan Nuramiera Faznie Wan Eddis Effendy, and Srimala Sreekantan

Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Kepala Batas, Malaysia

E-mail: gambarasan@student.usm.my

Received: 28 July 2022  Accepted: 20 September 2022

Abstract:

Present wound dressing materials have limitation in treating skin pathogens colonization associated with open wound infections. Recently, plant-based synthesis of inorganic oxide nanomaterials has received countless attention to tackle the mention limitation. This study investigated the physicochemical, bactericidal and cytocompatibility properties of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles from giant milkweed medicinal plant were produced at different calcination temperatures (i.e., 400 and 500 °C). Giant milkweed plant is scientifically known as Calotropis gigantea (C. gigantea). The oval-shaped CuO-500C exhibited improved bactericidal properties toward tested skin pathogens than CuO-400C. Successful green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles with the presence of bioderived elements was affirmed through both EDAX and XRD. Furthermore, FTIR and UV–visible analyses confirmed phenolic and carbonyl compounds. The MIC value for CuO-400C and CuO-500C toward the skin pathogens was ranging from 1.25 to 10 mg/mL and 0.3125 to 5 mg/mL, respectively. MBC value for CuO-400C and CuO-500C was 20 mg/mL and 2.5–20 mg/mL, respectively. From time-kill assay we found that Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) colonies began to decrease substantially after 6 h, and bactericidal activity was noticed at 12 h. However, the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) treated with CuO-500C was fully inhibited at 24 h. Besides, zone of inhibition of 10 mg/mL CuO-500C was greater than other samples. CuO-500C (2.5–10 mg/mL) had good cytocompatibility (> 90%) without any alteration on fibroblast cells morphology. Conclusively, CuO-500C nanoparticles demonstrated cytocompatibility potential with strong bactericidal properties for wound dressing material application.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Giant milkweed; CuO nanoparticles; Wound dressing material; Skin pathogens; Bactericidal; Cytocompatibility

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02513-5

Chemical Papers 77 (2) 1181–1200 (2023)