Design and synthesis of copper nanoparticles for the treatment of human esophageal cancer: introducing a novel chemotherapeutic supplement

Abstract In this study, copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were synthesized in an eco-friendly pathway applying Mentha piperita extract as reducing/stabilizing agent. The morphological and physicochemical features of the prepared nanoparticles were determined using several advanced techniques like FE-SEM, EDX, and UV–Vis studies. The as synthesized Cu NPs was explored in the antioxidant and anti-human esophageal cancer tests. The in vitro cytotoxic and anti-esophageal cancer effects of biologically synthesized Cu NPs against human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (KYSE-270), human caucasian esophageal carcinoma (OE33), and adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction (ESO26) cancer cell lines were assessed. The anti-esophageal cancer properties of the Cu NPs could significantly remove KYSE-270, OE33, and ESO26 cancer cell lines in a time and concentration-dependent manner by MTT assay. The IC50 of the Cu NPs were 241, 278, and 240 µg/mL against KYSE-270, OE33, and ESO26 cancer cell lines. The antioxidant activity of Cu NPs was determined by DPPH method. The Cu NPs showed the high antioxidant activity according to the IC50 value. It seems that the anti-human esophageal cancer effect of recent nanoparticles is due to their antioxidant effects.