Biogenic synthesis and characterization of Flueggea leucopyrus Willd leaf mediated Copper Nanoparticles for Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Anti-diabetic Activities

Introduction The chemical synthesis of metal Nanoparticles could be changed into green synthesis if solvents, stabilizing agents and reducing agents are environmentally friendly. Our aims were to synthesize and characterize bioconjugated copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and evaluate their antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities. Method This study was made to synthesize CuNPs using Flueggea leucopyrus Willd leaf extract. The produced CuNPs were characterized using UV-visible, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, EDX, and Zeta-potential analytical methods. The antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of CuNPs were screened through disc diffusion methods, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical quenching and alpha-amylase inhibition assay, respectively. Results The CuNPs are poly-dispersed, spherical, crystalline and stable with an average particle size of 20 nm. These nanoparticles show antibacterial activity and exhibit the same inhibition zone against S. aureus and P. aruginosa (13 mm), a strong zone for E. faecalis, and no inhibition zone for E. coli bacteria. The CuNPs demonstrated dose-dependent sequencing and inhibition activities with an IC50 value of 100.06 ppm and 435.68 ppm, respectively. Conclusions This study shows that these poly-disperse CuNPs could act as a bacterial resistance agent, antioxidant and anti-diabetic drug. It concluded that CuNPs made from medicinal plant leaf extract have good inhibitory potential against alpha-amylase, one of the main pharmacological targets for treating type II diabetes.