Evaluation of antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of green synthesized Cu2O/Graphene nanosheets

Graphene nanocomposites have received attention for the therapy and detection of diseases. In this study, we developed a simple and green chemistry approach for synthesizing Cu2O/graphene nanocomposites (Cu2O/G) using date palm fruit syrup as a reducing agent. The graphene oxide surface anchored with Cu(OH)2 and reduced it to fabricate Cu2O-anchored graphene nanosheets using date palm fruit syrup. Physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposites were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed 50-70 nm Cu2O nanostructures anchored on the surface of crumpled graphene sheets. The Cu2O/G nanocomposites inhibited the gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial growth at 300 μg. When compared with Cu2O nanoparticles and graphene oxide nanosheets (GO), Cu2O/G nanocomposite exhibited outstanding bactericidal activity. The cytotoxic properties of the prepared nanocomposites were studied in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The Cu2O/G nanocomposites did not reduced cell viability by up to 200 μg/mL and slightly induced cell death at high concentrations. However, Cu2O nanoparticles and GO have significantly reduced the cell viability in hMSCs. The microscopic images of cellular and nuclear morphology suggested that the Cu2O/G composites did not cause major changes to hMSCs. The Cu2O nanoparticles and GO remarkably triggers the cellular damages, nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation in hMSCs. Our study results revealed that Cu2O/G has excellent antibacterial activity with good biocompatibility. Thus, Cu2O/G could be used as a promising antibacterial agent in various purposes.