Synergistic effects of copper oxide-stigmasterol nanoparticles: a novel therapeutic strategy for oral pathogen biofilms and oral cancer
Shaik Althaf Hussain, Rym Ghimouz, Siva Prasad Panda, Uttam Prasad Panigrahy, Vanitha Marunganathan, Mohammed Rafi Shaik, Paramasivam Deepak, Nathiya Thiyagarajulu, Baji Shaik, Anahas Perianaika Matharasi Antonyraj, Mohd Asif Shah, Ajay Guru
Abstract
Oral pathogen biofilms contribute to chronic infections, while oral cancer remains a significant health threat, emphasizing the need for effective therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the fabrication, characterization, and therapeutic potential of copper oxide-stigmasterol nanoparticles (CuO-SS NPs) for oral pathogen biofilm disruption and oral cancer treatment. The antimicrobial activity of CuO-SS NPs was evaluated against oral pathogens, including S. aureus, S. mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans. In cancer cell studies, CuO-SS NPs exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity, reducing cell viability from 88% at 15 µg/mL to 29.33% at 120 µg/mL, comparable to doxorubicin (24.3%). The CuO-SS NPs significantly upregulated the apoptosis markers (Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and FasL) by 4.05, 1.4, and 3.1 fold, respectively. These results highlight the potential of CuO-SS NPs as a dual-purpose therapeutic for oral infections and cancer.