Abstract: Objective To investigate the physicochemical characterization of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles and assess its antitumor effect against gastric cancer cells in vitro. Methods The morphology, particle size and Fenton-like properties of Cu2O nanoparticles were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. CCK-8 assay and Transwell experiments were used for evaluating the in vitro anti-tumor effect of the nanometers in gastric cancer cells. Results The prepared Cu2O nanoparticles had a quasi-circular structure with a diameter of about 100 nm. The temperature of the nanoparticles increased from 25 to 50 ℃ after irradiation with near-infrared light (NIR, 0.5W/cm2) for 5 min. At a nearly neutral pH (pH=6.5), the nanoparticles catalyzed the generation of a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS). CCK-8 assay and Transwell experiment showed that Cu2O nanoparticles concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells. Conclusion Cu2O nanoparticles have good photothermal and chemokinetic properties with a strong anti-tumor effect, and can potentially serve as a new therapeutic agent for gastric cancer treatment.

Key words: cuprous oxide; nanoparticles; chemodynamic therapy; photothermal therapy