The Photodynamic Effect of Different Size ZnO Nanoparticles on Cancer Cell Proliferation In Vitro

Abstract

Nanomaterials have widely been used in the field of biological and biomedicine, such as tissue imaging, diagnosis and cancer therapy. In this study, we explored the cytotoxicity and photodynamic effect of different-sized ZnO nanoparticles to target cells. Our observations demonstrated that ZnO nanoparticles exerted dose-dependent and time-dependent cytotoxicity for cancer cells like hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro. Meanwhile, it was observed that UV irradiation could enhance the suppression ability of ZnO nanoparticles on cancer cells proliferation, and these effects were in the size-dependent manner. Furthermore, when ZnO nanoparticles combined with daunorubicin, the related cytotoxicity of anticancer agents on cancer cells was evidently enhanced, suggesting that ZnO nanoparticles could play an important role in drug delivery. This may offer the possibility of the great potential and promising applications of the ZnO nanoparticles in clinical and biomedical areas like photodynamic cancer therapy and others.

Deep UV generation and direct DNA photo-interaction by harmonic nanoparticles in labelled samples

“…The difference on cPARP expression between cells irradiated with lower laser intensity or exposed to lower particle concentration suggests that the synergistic effect between laser and HNPs is dominated by direct DNA photo-damages, but also implies other subsidiary mechanisms, such as a thermal effects and cell membranes disruption. [28][29][30] The apoptotic cell fraction in samples exposed to 540 nm laser but not treated with HNPs can be ascribed to direct two-photon absorption by DNA, as previously observed. 31,32 Such a non HNP-specific interaction can be easily counteracted thanks to the fact that the cellular effects exerted by BFO HNPs are limited to the area of the laser spot, as highlighted in Fig.…”

Zinc oxide nanoparticles selectively induce apoptosis in human cancer cells through reactive oxygen species

“…It has been suggested that due to a wide band gap (energy donor capacity), ZnO NPs could act as novel photosensitizers, or at least as potentiators of the conventional photosensitizing drugs, in photodynamic therapy of cancer. 43 Recent studies reported that UV irradiation could readily enhance the proliferation-suppression ability of ZnO NPs on cancer cells. 43,44 Our XRD results confirm the crystalline nature of ZnO NPs.…”

“…43 Recent studies reported that UV irradiation could readily enhance the proliferation-suppression ability of ZnO NPs on cancer cells. 43,44 Our XRD results confirm the crystalline nature of ZnO NPs. SEM and TEM showed that NPs were polygonal in shape with a smooth surface, were fairly distributed, and had an average diameter of 21 nm.…”

Polyelectrolyte complex materials from chitosan and gellan gum

“…Most studies have reported that TiO 2 , Ag and ZnO nanoparticles kill cells if they are in direct contact to the nanoparticle which happens, for example when the nanoparticles are added to a medium containing cells 269,270,[354][355][356] . In contrast, the likelihood of nanoparticles killing cells is reduced by incorporating nanoparticles into a polymer matric 244,263,357 .…”