Biogenic Cu-Fe bimetallic nanoparticles induce apoptosis and inhibit invasion in glioblastoma cells.

backgroundThis study demonstrates the wide-ranging therapeutic potential of copper-iron (Cu-Fe) bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs), which were synthesized using an environmentally friendly method involving Corylus avellana leaf extract. METHODS AND

resultsFollowing phytochemical profiling of the aqueous extract via LC-MS/MS, the Cu-Fe BNPs were characterized and confirmed to be stable nanostructures with an average size of 20-30 nm. Biological evaluations revealed selective cytotoxicity against U87-MG glioblastoma cells, with IC₅₀ values of 11.8 µg/mL and 325 µg/mL for U87-MG and HDF cells respectively, resulting in a selectivity index (SI) of 27.54. Hoechst 33,258 staining revealed an increased number of nuclear abnormalities in glioblastoma cells. Real-time PCR analysis revealed a 12.21-fold increase in BAX expression at 100 µg/mL and a 0.10-fold decrease in BCL2 expression at 200 µg/mL. This resulted in a maximum BAX/BCL2 ratio of 20.18, which supports the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, Cu-Fe BNPs suppressed glioblastoma cell migration in a dose-dependent manner, reducing wound closure from 55.1% to 10.6% after 24 h at 400 µg/mL. Antibacterial analysis revealed a decrease in the viability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus to 25.3% and 27.0%, respectively, at 400 µg/mL.

conclusionsCu-Fe BNPs exhibited selective anticancer, pro-apoptotic, anti-migratory, and antibacterial activities, indicating their potential as multifunctional nanotherapeutic agents for glioblastoma treatment.