Functionalization of Biosynthesized CQDs Capped AgO/ZnO Ternary Composite Against Microbes and Targeted Drug Delivery to Tumor Cells

Drug Nanocarriers are fabricated based on zinc oxide (ZnO) and modified by silver oxide (AgO) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as ternary nanostructure CQDs/AgO/ZnO (CAZ). These are loaded with chemotherapeutic drug epirubicin as EPI-CAZ for breast cancer treatment. Biogenic synthesis of ZnO and AgO nanoparticles was carried out through leaf extract of Ficus carica having flavonoid as reducing agent. CQDs were synthesized from banana juice. XRD assay divulged wurtzite structure of CAZ nanocarriers with particle size of 14.6 nm. TEM micrographs revealed spherical morphology of CAZ of size 10-11.5 nm. In-vitro cytotoxic potential of EPI-CAZ nanocarrier was compared with ZnO and CAZ. Due to difference in physiological pH between healthy and cancerous cells, an acidic medium activates drug release at targeted cancerous cell. The results revealed that CAZ nanocarriers inhibited over 80% of viable cells, while drug loaded nanocarriers inhibited approx. 90% at concentration of 50.0 mu M, thus enhances the cytotoxic potential of drug because CQDs act as good electron acceptor and transporter. Synergistic potential and apoptotic effect of CAZ and EPI-CAZ against resistant strains of E. coli and S. aureus divulged the influential role. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a 54.64% reduction in cell viability after being treated with nanocarriers.

Automated summary

Drug nanocarriers made of zinc oxide (ZnO) modified with silver oxide (AgO) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) showed enhanced cytotoxicity for breast cancer treatment. Biogenic synthesis of ZnO and AgO nanoparticles was achieved using leaf extract of Ficus carica and CQDs were synthesized from banana juice. The nanocarriers inhibited over 80% of viable cancer cells and showed synergistic potential against resistant bacterial strains, with a 54.64% reduction in cell viability observed after treatment.