Publication:

In vitro assessment of Ag and TiO2 nanoparticles cytotoxicity

Background Silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are the most eminent nanoproducts. Due to their antimicrobial and antifungal activity, they have been the well commercialized nanosubstances. The hazards associated with human exposure to Ag and TiO2 nanoparticles should be investigated, and hence both the nanoparticles were synthesized to facilitate the risk assessment process.

Methods Prior to the cytotoxic studies, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were carried out to ensure the particle size. Glutathione (GSH), Nitric Oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) estimated by ELISA method.

Results In the present study, the cytotoxicity of Ag and TiO2 were investigated by using the glutathione (GSH), Nitric Oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) by incubating various concentration of silver (0.25 to 76 mg/mL) and titanium dioxide (0.25 to 2 mg/mL) nanoparticles in different incubation periods (24, 48 and 74 hours at 37°C) in plasma.  Results observed that significant decrease (P <0.0001) in the concentration of GSH associated with increased concentration of NO (P <0.0001) and SOD (P <0.0001) after incubation with silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles at 24hrs at 37°C, however at 48 hours and 74 hours there is not much change.

Conclusion The results indicate that silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles exhibits, nanoparticles mediated cytotoxicity by induction of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).