Evaluation of pharmacological and catalytic activity of CuO and Zn doped CuO nanoparticles

CuO and Zn doped CuO nanoparticles (Zn-CuO NPs) with varying concentration i.e., Zn x Cu 1 − x O (where x = 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5%) have been prepared via microwave assisted method. The spheroid structure of CuO NPs and the nanorod structure of Zn-CuO NPs have been determined using High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HR-SEM) analysis. Elemental analysis has been carried out using Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX). The particle size and surface area of CuO and Zn-CuO NPs have been confirmed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. The antibacterial studies have been revealed that Zn (1.5%) -CuO NPs exhibited maximum zone of inhibition (19-29 mm) against the tested four bacterial strains. Zn-CuO NPs have been displayed robust action of antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.09 µM against Campylobacter coli ( C. Coli ). DPPH and H 2 O 2 radical scavenging assay investigation have been revealed that the significant scavenging activity has showed by Zn (1.5%) -CuO. The in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of synthesized material against human breast (MCF7) and human lung (A549) cancer cell lines have been demonstrated that Zn (1.5%) -CuO NPs exhibited better cytotoxic activity against MCF7 cell lines (97.5% cell death) than A549 cell lines (90% cell death).