Microwave-Induced CuO Nanorods: A Comparative Approach between Curcumin, Quercetin, and Rutin to Study Their Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Effects against Normal Skin Cells and Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines MCF-7 and T-47D.

Herein, we explore the biological properties of curcumin, quercetin, and rutin by loading them onto porous CuO nanorods (NRs). The CuO NRs were synthesized using the microwave irradiation method through a chemical reaction between CuSO·5HO and NaOH in the presence of the anionic stabilizer sodium dodecyl sulfate. The shape and surface morphology of CuO NRs were examined with two microscopic techniques: high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Their average diameter was measured by TEM to be 15 ± 2 nm. The porosity and interfacial area of the fabricated material were determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. After successful synthesis, CuO NRs were loaded with polyphenolic curcumin, quercetin, and rutin, with the loading efficiency of 57.8, 62.2, and 81.2%, respectively, which was confirmed by UV-visible and infra-red spectroscopy and finally with a thermal gravimetric technique. Their radical scavenging activity was measured with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and compared with the control (ascorbic acid). Further, good bactericidal effects were observed against both Gram-positive bacterial strains, including and and Gram-negative bacterial strains, including , , , and . Excellent anticancer activity was observed against normal skin cells and breast cancer cells T-47D and MCF-7.