Bioengineering, characterization, and biological activities of C@Cu₂O@Cu nanocomposite based-mediated the Vicia faba seeds aqueous extract

Vicia faba seeds are a rich source of polyphenolic, and flavonoid compounds that have high antioxidant activity. The aqueous extract of V. faba seeds has been used for the biosynthesis of a nanocomposite (NC) consisting of three different types of nanoparticles that are deposited onto each other as C@Cu₂O@Cu. Physicochemical, optical, electrical, and morphological properties of the as-biofabricated C@Cu₂O@Cu NC were characterized using different analytical techniques as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Photoluminescence (PL), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX), Raman, Zeta-potential, and water/moisture content). Results confirmed that V. faba seeds aqueous extract mediated the fabrication of C@Cu₂O@Cu NC at high and pure crystalline nature. The nano-formulation had a face center cubic crystallographic system at the nano-scale range using Debye–Scherrer's equation (13.8 nm) in XRD analysis and (20.9 ± 6.2 nm) using TEM analysis. The crystallinity index (1.6) with a large surface area and polycrystalline nature were being investigated. In addition, the biological activity of the synthesized NC was analyzed. C@Cu₂O@Cu NC showed high anti-inflammatory activity compared with diclofenac potassium with IC₅₀ = 213.3 μg/mL. Moreover, the nano-formulation had a potent antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria. Cytotoxicity of the C@Cu₂O@Cu NC against MCF7, HCT116, and HepG2 cell lines showed efficient cytotoxic impact with IC₅₀ = 84.8, 116.1, and 120.5 μg/mL, respectively. So, the nanocomposite C@Cu₂O@Cu may provide a promising platform for the effective treatment of different types of cancer.