Author(s):
Manju Bargavi Sakthivel, Prabhavathy Devi Narayanan Doss, Nalini Devarajan, Tharani Munusamy, Suresh Malchi, Naresh Kumar Kodaganti, Karunanidhi Kanappan
Email(s):
prabhavathy_devi@yahoo.com
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00384
Address:
Manju Bargavi Sakthivel1, Prabhavathy Devi Narayanan Doss1*, Nalini Devarajan2, Tharani Munusamy2, Suresh Malchi2, Naresh Kumar Kodaganti2, Karunanidhi Kanappan2
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Humanities and Science, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, K.K. Nagar, Chennai-600 078, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Department of Research, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, K.K. Nagar, Chennai-600 078, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 6,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
This research aims to explore the synthesis and multi-bioactive investigation of berberine nanoformulation copper oxide nanoparticles (BNF-CuONPs), targeting antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The synthesized berberine nanoformulation was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. UV-visible spectra confirmed the formation of nanoparticles with a distinct absorption peak, while SEM and TEM images demonstrated a spherical morphology with a uniform dispersion of bioactive compounds. The antioxidant properties of the berberine nanoformulation were evidenced by the DPPH assay, with the highest inhibition percentage compared to standards. Furthermore, the antimicrobial assay showed significant inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Escherichia coli, with dose-response inhibition of zones confirming broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. For anticancer studies, DMSO was used as a solvent control and exhibited 98% cell viability, validating the specificity of the cytotoxicity induced by the berberine nanoformulation in NCI-H460 cells. The cellular toxicity showed a dose-responsive response at the maximum concentration (200 µg/mL), resulting in 97% cell suppression, indicating selective anticancer activity. In normal cells, viable cells ranged from 99% (20 µg/mL) to 97% (200 µg/mL), indicating almost no toxicity. The cell migration assay revealed a strong anti-migratory effect, observed as changes in wound space and the relative cell migration decreasing to 0.05, indicating anti-metastatic potential. Overall, the findings suggest that berberine nanoformulation of copper oxide nanoparticles exhibited enhanced bioactive compounds suitable for anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, cytotoxicity and cell migration assay.
Cite this article:
Manju Bargavi Sakthivel, Prabhavathy Devi Narayanan Doss, Nalini Devarajan, Tharani Munusamy, Suresh Malchi, Naresh Kumar Kodaganti, Karunanidhi Kanappan. Formulation of Bioactive Berberine–Copper Oxide Nanoparticles via Solanum torvum for Multifunctional Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticancer, and Wound-Healing Applications in NCI-H460 cells. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(6):2688-4. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00384
Cite(Electronic):
Manju Bargavi Sakthivel, Prabhavathy Devi Narayanan Doss, Nalini Devarajan, Tharani Munusamy, Suresh Malchi, Naresh Kumar Kodaganti, Karunanidhi Kanappan. Formulation of Bioactive Berberine–Copper Oxide Nanoparticles via Solanum torvum for Multifunctional Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticancer, and Wound-Healing Applications in NCI-H460 cells. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(6):2688-4. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00384 Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-6-41
REFERENCES:
1. Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 2021; 71: 209–49. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660.
2. Lung Cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer (accessed May 16, 2025).
3. Phull AR, Ali A, Dhong KR, et al. Synthesis, characterization, anticancer activity assessment and apoptosis signaling of fucoidan mediated copper oxide nanoparticles. Arabian Journal of Chemistry 2021; 14: 103250–103250. https://doi.org/10.1016/ J.ARABJC.2021.103250.
4. Darkwah W, Nkoom M, Nkoom M, et al. Free Radicals Scavenging Activity and Oxidative DNA Damage Protecting Property of Methanol Extract from Honeycrisp Apple. Pharmacognosy Journal. 2019; 11: 694–8. https://doi.org/10.5530/ pj.2019.11.110.
5. Ouidad A, Sara C, Samir D. Biological properties and Acute Toxicity Study of Copper oxide nanoparticles prepared by aqueous leaves extract of Portulaca oleracea (L). Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2020; 10(2): 89-94.
6. Hussain Z, Thu HE, Elsayed I, et al. Nano-scaled materials may induce severe neurotoxicity upon chronic exposure to brain tissues: A critical appraisal and recent updates on predisposing factors, underlying mechanism, and future prospects. J Control Release 2020; 328: 873–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jconrel.2020.10.053.
7. Latha A, Darwin CR. Development, preparation of berberine loaded magnetic nanoparticles by modified co-precipitation method and characterization for enhanced dissolution and stability studies. Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy. 2022; 16(3): 288-99.
8. Ranjan B, Honey J, Birendra S. Standardization and phytochemical investigation of Berberis aristata. Asian J. Pharm. Ana. 2012 Jul; 2(3): 81-4.
9. Ramachandran V, Khan I, Sugumar S, Sundaram V. Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Anticholinergic action of berberine attenuates diabetic encephalopathy: Behavioral and Biochemical evidences. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2020; 13(10): 4550-6.
10. Song D, Hao J, Fan D. Biological properties and clinical applications of berberine. Frontiers of Medicine 2020; 14: 564–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-019-0724-6.
11. Deepshikha Verma, Pradeep Kumar Samal. Evaluation of Synergistic Analgesic Activity of Berberine and Asiatic Acid in Mice. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2020; 13(12): 6081-6085. doi: 10.5958/0974-360X.2020.01060.4
12. Sakthivel MB, Dass PDN, Munusamy T, et al. Berberine-enriched copper oxide nano formulation synthesized using Solanum torvum: A strategic advancement in lung cancer therapy and wound healing. J App Pharm Sci. 2025; 15: 096–114. https://doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2025.237203.
13. Chac LD, Thinh BB, Yen NT. Anti-cancer activity of dry extract of Anoectochilus setaceus Blume against BT474 breast cancer cell line and A549 lung cancer cell line. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2021; 14(2): 730-4.
14. Rajeshkumar S, Tharani M, Jeevitha M, et al. Anticariogenic activity of fresh aloe vera gel mediated copper oxide nanoparticles. Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. 2019; 10: 3664–3664. https://doi.org/10.5958/0976-5506.2019.04158.5.
15. Priyanka N, Srikanth M, Babu GR, Sowjanya M, Sri VR, Vasanthi M, Bhargavi K, Tirupathaiah Y, Vasavi K, Raviteja N. In-vitro Screening of Anti-microbial, Anti-fungal and Anti-oxidant activities of Ethanolic leaf extract of Anthocephalus cadamba. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2022; 12(4): 275-80.
16. Wu C, Dong B, Huang L, et al. SPTBN2, a New Biomarker of Lung Adenocarcinoma. Frontiers in Oncology 2021; 11: 754290–754290. https://doi.org/10.3389/FONC.2021.754290/BIBTEX.
17. Alao I, Oyekunle I, Iwuozor K, et al. Green synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles and Investigation of its Antimicrobial Properties. Adv J Chem B. 2022. https://doi.org/10.22034/ ajcb.2022.323779.1106.
18. Munusamy T, Shanmugam R. Green Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Terminalia chebula Dried Fruit Extract: Characterization and Antibacterial Action. 2023. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.50142.
19. Tavade S, Patil K, Kurangi B, et al. Development and Validation of UV-spectrophotometric Method for Estimation of Berberine Hydrochloride in Marketed Formulation and Poly Lactic Co-glycolic Acid Nanoparticles. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. n.d.;56. https://doi.org/10.5530/ ijper.56.3.140.
20. Awate PS, Pimple TP, Pananchery JF, Jain AS. Formulation and evaluation of berberine hcl as niosomal drug delivery system. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2020;10(3):149-59.
21. Mehra M, Sheorain J, Bakshi J, et al. Synthesis and evaluation of berberine loaded chitosan nanocarrier for enhanced in-vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications. 2024; 7: 100474–100474. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CARPTA.2024.100474.
22. Hanif A, Ibrahim AH, Ismail S, et al. Cytotoxicity against A549 Human Lung Cancer Cell Line via the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Nuclear Condensation Effects of Nepeta paulsenii Briq., a Perennial Herb. Molecules. 2023; 28: 2812–2812. https://doi.org/10.3390/MOLECULES28062812/S1.
23. Li Q, Zhao H, Chen W, et al. Berberine induces apoptosis and arrests the cell cycle in multiple cancer cell lines. Arch Med Sci. 2021; 19: 1530–7. https://doi.org/10.5114/aoms/132969.
24. Taebpour M, Arasteh F, Akhlaghi M, et al. Fabrication and characterization of PLGA polymeric nanoparticles containing Berberine and its cytotoxicity on breast cancer cell (MCF-7). Nanomedicine Research Journal. 2021; 6: 396–408. https://doi.org/10.22034/NMRJ.2021.04.009.