Catalytic properties and biomedical applications of cerium oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (Nanoceria) have shown promise as catalytic antioxidants in the test tube, cell culture models and animal models of disease. However given the reactivity that is well established at the surface of these nanoparticles, the biological utilization of Nanoceria as a therapeutic still poses many challenges. Moreover the form that these particles take in a biological environment, such as the changes that can occur due to a protein corona, are not well established. This review aims to summarize the existing literature on biological use of Nanoceria, and to raise questions about what further study is needed to apply this interesting catalytic material to biomedical applications. These questions include: 1) How does preparation, exposure dose, route and experimental model influence the reported effects of Nanoceria in animal studies? 2) What are the considerations to develop Nanoceria as a therapeutic agent in regards to these parameters? 3) What biological targets of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are relevant to this targeting, and how do these properties also influence the safety of these nanomaterials?

Adsorption of Nanoceria by Phosphocholine Liposomes

“…2,4 For example, it was reported that nanoceria can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living systems with superoxide dismutase and catalase-like activities. 2,[7][8][9] In a few cases, nanoceria protected cells from oxidative stress induced by ROS or radiation. [10][11][12][13][14] It was also reported that nanoceria protects normal cells but not cancer cells.…”

Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles as Novel Tool in Glioma Treatment: An In vitro Study

“…Finally; it was addressed whether CNP might be a suitable therapeutical tool to prevent neoangiogenesis in brain tumors. In the last years; an increasing number of articles deals with nanoceria being an antioxidant to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS) in different cells and tissues in vitro [72]. For example; nanoceria protect human dermal fibroblasts against a paraquat-initiated increase of the intracellular ROS level [73].…”

Nanoceria and Its Perspective in Cancer Treatment

“…Cerium oxide nanoparticles, also known as nanoceria [10] have gained much more concern over the past decade because of their distinctive physical, chemical as well as structural properties [25]. Cerium is a rare-earth element of the lanthanide series and is available in two oxidation state, Ce 3+ and Ce 4+ [21].…”

“…Because of this consequence and others, different methods and materials are discovered by scientists to mimic the situation. Due to their catalytic properties nanoceria has gained concern by several researchers as a potential agent in the biomedical application [10]. These materials are versatile and may have diversified form depending on the bulk material [11] that may help to treat different disease especially cancer.…”