Enhanced antimycotic activity of biomodified copper oxide nanoparticles from indigenous state flowers of Jharkhand: an <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in silico</i> approach

Current study investigates the medicinal applications of <i>Butea monosperma</i> (Palash), the state flower of Jharkhand, India, focusing on synthesising biomodified copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) and its antifungal properties. Flavonoid content in the flower extract was quantified by aluminium chloride colorimetric analysis. CuO-NPs were synthesised via co-precipitation method and then modified with methanolic flower extract. Characterization confirmed the properties of these NPs including their high crystallinity, spherical structure and nanoscale size (9–90 nm size). Anti-fungal activity revealed significant inhibition of hyphal growth at concentrations of 100–1000 ppm (76.6% for <i>F. oxysporum</i> and 75.05% for <i>S. rolfsii</i>). Statistical and computational analysis confirmed the effectiveness of these NPs by showing strong interactions between the CuO-NPs and fungal proteins.