Synergistic effects of copper oxide-stigmasterol nanoparticles: a novel therapeutic strategy for oral pathogen biofilms and oral cancer

Abstract

Oral pathogen biofilms contribute to chronic infections, while oral cancer remains a significant health threat, emphasizing the need for effective therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the fabrication, characterization, and therapeutic potential of copper oxide-stigmasterol nanoparticles (CuO-SS NPs) for oral pathogen biofilm disruption and oral cancer treatment. The antimicrobial activity of CuO-SS NPs was evaluated against oral pathogens, including S. aureus, S. mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans. In cancer cell studies, CuO-SS NPs exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity, reducing cell viability from 88% at 15 µg/mL to 29.33% at 120 µg/mL, comparable to doxorubicin (24.3%). The CuO-SS NPs significantly upregulated the apoptosis markers (Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and FasL) by 4.05, 1.4, and 3.1 fold, respectively. These results highlight the potential of CuO-SS NPs as a dual-purpose therapeutic for oral infections and cancer