Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Effects of CuO-TiO₂-Chitosan-Escin Nanocomposites on Human Leukemic MOLT4 Cells

Abstract

Nanocomposites comprised of CuO-TiO2-chitosan-escin, which has adjustable physicochemical properties, provide a solution for therapeutic selectivity in cancer treatment. By controlling the intrinsic signaling primarily through the mitochondrial signaling pathway, we desired nanocomposites with enhanced anticancer activity by containing CuO-TiO2-chitosan-escin. The metal oxides CuO and TiO2, the natural polymer chitosan, and a phytochemical compound escin were combined to form CuO-TiO2-chitosan-escin nanocomposites. The synthesized nanocomposites were confirmed and characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, TEM, and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. A human leukemia cell line (MOLT-4) was used to assess the efficacy and selectivity of nanocomposites. Based on a cytotoxicity study, CuO-TiO2-chitosan-escin nanocomposites had inhibition concentrations (IC50) of 13.68, 8.9, and 7.14 µg/mL against human T lymphoblast cells after 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation, respectively. Compared with untreated MOLT-4 cells, CuO-TiO2-chitosan-escin nanocomposite-treated cells significantly increased (p p 2-chitosan-escin nanocomposite-mediated control of cell cycles were mainly achieved through the activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9.

Keywords

• CuO-TiO₂-chitosan-escin nanocomposites
• antioxidant
• reactive oxygen species
• anticancer
• caspase