Exploration of Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activities of M-Ceo₂ (M = Ag, Cu, Te, and Ta) Nanoparticles

This study focuses on the ultrasonic synthesis of M-CeO₂ (M = Ag, Cu, Te & Ta) nanoparticles (NPs) and screening of their cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities. The prepared NPs are characterized by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, SEM-EDX,DR-UV-visible spectrophotometer, and dynamic light scattering analysis. The cytotoxicity of M-CeO₂ nanoparticles are assessed against cancer cells such as colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116) and cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and non-cancer cells (embryonic kidney cells HEK-293). The effect of post-48 h treatment of CeO₂, Ag-CeO_2, Cu-CeO₂, Te-CeO₂, and Ta-CeO₂, on HCT-116 and HeLa cells showed a noteworthy reduction in cell viability. The treatments of Ag-CeO₂ also display a reduction in cancer cell viability but statistically not significant. The treatment of CeO₂ shows better inhibitory action on HCT-116 and HeLa cells. HEK-293 is treated with CeO_2, Ag-CeO_2, Cu-CeO₂, Te-CeO_2, and Ta-CeO₂ NPs with the same dosages, there is a minor decline in the cell number, but the percentage of cells viability is greater than HCT-116 and HeLa cells. The antibacterial activity of NPs against E. coli and S. aureus is tested, and Te-CeO₂ NPs show better antibacterial activity. The lowest MIC displayed by Te-CeO₂ is 0.25 mg mL⁻¹ against E. coli and 4 mg mL⁻¹ for S. aureus, respectively.