Evaluation of antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of green synthesized Cu 2 O/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 Cu2 O/graphene nanocomposites (Cu2 O/G) using date palm fruit syrup as a reducing agent. The graphene oxide surface anchored with Cu(OH)2 and reduced it to fabricate Cu2 O-anchored graphene nanosheets using date palm fruit syrup. Physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposites were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed 50-70 nm Cu2 O nanostructures anchored on the surface of crumpled graphene sheets. The Cu2 O/G nanocomposites inhibited the gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial growth at 300 μg. When compared with Cu2 O 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 Cu2 O/G nanocomposites did not reduced cell viability by up to 200 μg/mL and slightly induced cell death at high concentrations. However, Cu2 O nanoparticles and GO have significantly reduced the cell viability in hMSCs. The microscopic images of cellular and nuclear morphology suggested that the Cu2 O/G composites did not cause major changes to hMSCs. The Cu2 O nanoparticles and GO remarkably triggers the cellular damages, nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation in hMSCs. Our study results revealed that Cu2 O/G has excellent antibacterial activity with good biocompatibility. Thus, Cu2 O/G could be used as a promising antibacterial agent in various purposes.