# Synthesis and Characterization of Mg-Doped CuO Nanoparticles and Their Enhanced Anticancer Efficacy Against HepG2 Liver Cancer Cells

## TL;DR

This study shows that magnesium-doped copper oxide nanoparticles are more effective at killing liver cancer cells than undoped ones, with minimal harm to normal cells.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the development of Mg-doped CuO nanoparticles with enhanced selective anticancer activity against HepG2 cells.

## Key findings

- 3% Mg-doped CuO showed highest potency with an IC50 of 21.99 µg/mL against HepG2 cells.
- Mg-doped CuO induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells.
- Mg-doped CuO exhibited higher IC50 in normal fibroblasts, showing selective toxicity.

## Abstract

The rising global incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma demands innovative therapeutic strategies. This study explores the enhanced anticancer potential of magnesium-doped copper oxide (Mg-doped CuO) nanoparticles, which were synthesized to improve upon the properties of undoped CuO nanoparticles. Mg-doped CuO nanoparticles with doping concentrations ranging from 1% to 5% were prepared using the co-precipitation method and thoroughly characterized by SEM, EDS, and FTIR. Their biological activity was evaluated against HepG2 liver cancer cells and normal human fibroblast cells. The MTT assay demonstrated a significant, concentration-dependent increase in cytotoxicity for Mg-doped CuO nanoparticles compared to undoped CuO, with the 3% Mg-doped CuO formulation showing the greatest potency (IC50 = 21.99 µg/mL at 48 h). Cell cycle analysis revealed that treatment with Mg-doped CuO nanoparticles, particularly at 3% and 5% doping concentrations, induced a substantial G2/M phase arrest, indicating a mechanism of action involving the disruption of cell division. Furthermore, all Mg-doped CuO nanoparticles exhibited markedly higher IC50 values in normal fibroblasts, confirming a favorable selective toxicity towards cancer cells. Apoptosis was identified as a key cell death pathway through acridine orange/propidium iodide staining. These results conclusively show that magnesium doping significantly augments the selective anticancer efficacy of CuO nanoparticles via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, presenting a highly promising nanomaterial targeted liver cancer therapy.