Eco-friendly synthesis of Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC. mediated copper oxide nanoparticles: Comprehensive characterisation and broad-spectrum nano medicinal applications

A simple, sustainable and cost-effective green route was developed for the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) using Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC. leaf extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. This phytochemical-mediated approach eliminates toxic reagents and enables the formation of stable, biofunctionalized nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction confirmed a monoclinic crystalline phase with an average crystallite size of 18.34 nm. UV–Visible spectroscopy exhibited a characteristic absorption peak at 418.5 nm, while FTIR analysis verified the involvement of O-H, C=O and Cu-O functional groups in reduction and capping. EDX analysis established elemental purity, along with FEG-SEM and TEM images, which revealed well-dispersed, quasi-spherical particles ranging from 16 to 57 nm. A high negative zeta potential (–34.4 mV) indicated excellent colloidal stability. Notably, vibrating sample magnetometry demonstrated an enhanced saturation magnetization of 45 emu/g, suggesting unusual magnetic behavior in the synthesized CuONPs. Biologically, the nanoparticles exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity. Dose-dependent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses and significant α-amylase inhibition. Also, it shows measurable anti-tubercular efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Promising anticancer effects against MCF-7 breast cancer cells with improved cytotoxicity toward L929 fibroblasts. This study presents a multifunctional, magnetically responsive and biologically potent nanoplatform synthesized through an eco-friendly strategy.