Cytotoxic Effects of Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Murine Cell Lines

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity and cellular effects of previously prepared ZnO-NPs on murine cancer cell lines using brown seaweed (Sargassum muticum) aqueous extract. Treated cancer cells with ZnO-NPs for 72 hours demonstrated various levels of cytotoxicity based on calculated IC50 values using MTT assay as follows: 21.7 ± 1.3 μg/mL (4T1), 17.45 ± 1.1 μg/mL (CRL-1451), 11.75 ± 0.8 μg/mL (CT-26), and 5.6 ± 0.55 μg/mL (WEHI-3B), respectively. On the other hand, ZnO-NPs treatments for 72 hours showed no toxicity against normal mouse fibroblast (3T3) cell line. On the other hand, paclitaxel, which imposed an inhibitory effect on WEHI-3B cells with IC50 of 2.25 ± 0.4, 1.17 ± 0.5, and 1.6 ± 0.09 μg/mL after 24, 48, and 72 hours treatment, respectively, was used as positive control. Furthermore, distinct morphological changes were found by utilizing fluorescent dyes; apoptotic population was increased via flowcytometry, while a cell cycle block and stimulation of apoptotic proteins were also observed. Additionally, the present study showed that the caspase activations contributed to ZnO-NPs triggered apoptotic death in WEHI-3 cells. Thus, the nature of biosynthesis and the therapeutic potential of ZnO-NPs could prepare the way for further research on the design of green synthesis therapeutic agents, particularly in nanomedicine, for the treatment of cancer.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibit cytotoxicity and genotoxicity through oxidative stress responses in human lung fibroblasts and <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>

“…[9][10][11][12][13] The toxicity of ZnO NPs has been shown to be attributed to the dissolution of Zn to free Zn 2+ ions and the generation of free radicals from the surface of ZnO, resulting in cellular ionic and metabolic imbalance that is associated with a defect in ionic homeostasis and an inhibition of ion transport. 9,12,14,15 In vitro toxicity studies revealed that generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), followed by ROS-induced oxidative stress, is the mechanism leading to the ZnO NP-mediated toxicity. Insufficient antioxidative protective mechanism following excessive ROS production, has shown to elicit cell death and genotoxicity.…”

“…Insufficient antioxidative protective mechanism following excessive ROS production, has shown to elicit cell death and genotoxicity. 14 Other than the inherent properties of ZnO NPs, physicochemical properties, such as size and surface charges contribute to the toxicity of ZnO NPs. In addition to the phase (amorphous, anatase, etc) and contact area between a single nanoparticle (NP) and a single cell, smaller and rod shaped nano ZnO (in comparison to spherical shape) is reported to be more toxic.…”

Cytotoxic effects of ZnO nanoparticles on mouse testicular cells

“…The increased use of ZnO NPs in consumer products on the market and the devastating long-term damage they potentially cause to humans have prompted increased assessment of their adverse effects in vitro and in vivo. 9,10 Several studies have reported the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of ZnO NPs using in vitro assays in immune cells, lung epithelial, and cancer cells. [11][12][13][14] Johnson et al showed that the exposure of immune cells to ZnO NPs resulted in increased levels of the autophagosome protein LC3A and, consequently, autophagic death, which were inhibited by blocking autophagy and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.…”

Silver Nanoparticles From Trianthema Portulacastrum: Green Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial and Anticancer Properties

“…8a). Previous studies on NIH/3T3 cell line using brown seaweed Sargassum muticum aqueous extract showed no toxicity at 24 hrs [53]. The cell viability was reduced in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cell line, and the IC50 of the nanoparticles was observed at concentrations of 173.8±0.84 µg/mL.…”