One-dimensional copper oxide nanorods with potential anticancer effects against melanoma cells

Abstract

In this study, one-dimensional copper oxide nanorods (CuO NRs) as new type anticancer particles were synthesized by hydrothermal method along with sonication. Afterward, the biological properties of synthesized CuO NRs against murine B16F10 melanoma with high metastatic potential and normal fibroblast cell line (3 T3) were evaluated. XRD pattern of synthesized CuO NRs revealed a crystalline structure and FT-IR study disclosed that bands at 438–607 cm−1 and 1010 cm−1 are typically associated with the stretching and bending vibrations of the Cu–O bond. DLS study indicated that prepared NRs have a size distribution in the range of 37–99 nm in solution, with a zeta potential value of −37.00 mV. Finally, TEM analysis demonstrated that CuO NRs have a nanorod-like morphology with an average particle size of 5 nm in width and 25–100 nm in length. Furthermore, we discovered that CuO NRs provided an apparent and selective antiproliferative effect on B16F10 melanoma cells at a minimum concentration of 10 µg/ml, associated with induction of membrane leakage and elevation of oxidative stress. Also, induction of apoptotic process was observed in melanoma cells following exposure to CuO NRs mediated by elevation of cytochrome c, AIF, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, and downregulation of Bcl-2 genes and proteins. Therefore, it was deduced that both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways were associated with anticancer mechanisms of CuO NRs against B16F10 melanoma. In conclusion, CuO NRs could be appointed as potential nanostructures in the modulation or prevention of skin cancer and may be an indication of a new potential anticancer compound in the treatment of melanoma, which warrants further investigations in future studies.

Keywords

• Copper oxide nanorods
• Melanoma
• Signaling pathway