Synthesis of copper-platinum nanoparticles induce apoptosis in THP-1 cells

Bimetallic nanoparticles are considered as next generation materials with synergistic optical, electrical and catalytic properties. They are composed of two different metals and exhibit superior performance as compared to their monometallic nanoparticles. In this present study we have developed a green synthetic route for the synthesis of Cu@Pt, using polyphenol as reducing, as well as functionalizing agent. The morphological and compositional properties of the synthesized Cu@Pt nanoparticles were analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The electron microscopic images indicate that spherical Cu@Pt aggregates with ~ 30 nm size are formed. The cell viability assay revealed that Cu@Pt inhibit cell proliferation and enhances nuclear morphological changes, including cell shrinkage, intranucleosomal DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation in THP-1 cells. Our findings confirm that Cu@Pt nanoparticles can open up new opportunities for cancer therapeutic applications.