Multifunctional cerium oxide-copper oxide nanocomposites prepared via one-pot engineering precipitation: Antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities

Background: Metal oxide nanoparticles, such as CuO and CeO₂@CuO nanocomposites (NCs), hold significant promise for treating Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Candida albicans (C. albicans) fungi, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). These nanoparticles could play a crucial role in reducing the burden of antibiotic resistance, improving the treatment of fungal infections, and providing effective therapeutic options for aggressive breast cancer. Their potential in addressing these health challenges underscores their significance in future medical treatments, ultimately leading to lower healthcare costs, reduced morbidity and mortality rates, and enhanced patient quality of life. Methods: This study synthesized CuO and CeO₂@CuO NCs using a one-pot engineering precipitation method. The structural, optical, elemental, and morphological properties of the synthesized NCs were thoroughly characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and photoluminescence (PL) analysis. Results: The CeO₂@CuO NCs demonstrated potential antioxidant activity as revealed by the DPPH assay. In antimicrobial and anticancer tests, CeO₂@CuO NCs exhibited superior activity to CuO NPs, showing enhanced effectiveness against MRSA, C. albicans strains, and triple-negative breast cancer cells. Conclusion: The results underscore the unique structural and functional properties of CeO₂@CuO NCs, making them excellent candidates for biomedical and clinical applications. These nanocomposites could significantly contribute to addressing critical health challenges, such as antibiotic resistance, fungal infections, and aggressive forms of cancer, underscoring their potential in future medical treatments and interventions.