Hydrothermal Synthesis of Multifunctional Bimetallic Ag-CuO Nanohybrids and Their Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm and Antiproliferative Potential

The rapidly growing global problem of infectious pathogens acquiring resistance to conventional antibiotics is an instigating reason for researchers to continue the search for functional as well as broad-spectrum antimicrobials. Hence, we aimed in this study to synthesis silver-copper oxide (Ag-CuO) nanohybrids as a function of Ag concentration (0.05, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 g) via the one-step hydrothermal method. The bimetallic Ag-CuO nanohybrids Ag-C-1, Ag-C-2, Ag-C-3 and Ag-C-4 were characterized for their physico-chemical properties. The SEM results showed pleomorphic Ag-CuO crystals; however, the majority of the particles were found in spherical shape. TEM results showed that the Ag-CuO nanohybrids in formulations Ag-C-1 and Ag-C-3 were in the size range of 20-35 nm. Strong signals of Ag, Cu and O in the EDX spectra revealed that the as-synthesized nanostructures are bimetallic Ag-CuO nanohybrids. The obtained Ag-C-1, Ag-C-2, Ag-C-3 and Ag-C-4 nanohybrids have shown their MICs and MBCs against E. coli and C. albicans in the range of 4-12 mg/mL and 2-24 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, dose-dependent toxicity and apoptosis process stimulation in the cultured human colon cancer HCT-116 cells have proven the Ag-CuO nanohybrids as promising antiproliferative agents against mammalian cancer.

Automated summary

The study aimed to synthesize silver-copper oxide nanohybrids with different silver concentrations and characterize their physico-chemical properties. The nanohybrids showed promising antimicrobial activity against E. coli and C. albicans, as well as antiproliferative effects on human colon cancer cells.