Preparation, Characterization, and Determination of the Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant, and Anti–Lung Cancer Properties of Plant Leaf Extract Green‐Synthesized Nanoparticles

ABSTRACT The overstimulation of the mTOR signaling pathway has a main role in controlling cellular growth and is commonly seen in various cancer types. Recently, nanoparticles have been formulated for cancer treatment. This study reports on the green manufacture of copper nanoparticles utilizing Curcuma longa and their anti–lung cancer properties that follow the PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway. The FE‐SEM, FT‐IR, EDX, and XRD methods were used to analyze the nanoparticles. The FT‐IR spectra of copper nanoparticles are reported with the presence of peaks at 569 and 749 cm −1 , confirming the creation of Cu NPs. The findings showed that Cu NPs with a spherical morphology and a suitable average size of around 50 nm had a crystalline structure. The biological aspects were the focus of a recent study. Over 48 h, to evaluate the cytotoxic capacities of Cu NPs on NCI‐H661 cancer and HUVEC cells, the MTT test was used. Also, the antioxidant appraisement reported that the IC 50 for Cu NPs and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were 86 and 23 μg/mL, respectively. When exposed to Cu NPs, the NCI‐H661 viability decreased, resulting in an IC 50 of 69 μg/mL. The mTOR pathway report indicated that Cu NPs influence cell proliferation and apoptosis in NCI‐H661 cells through the PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway modulation. It could be involved in the activation of apoptosis and cell cycle inhibition brought on by Cu NPs. Consequently, Cu NPs may be a useful anticancer therapeutic for lung cancer treatments.