Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Imaging Approaches to Assessments of Toxicological Oxidative Stress Using Genetically-encoded Fluorogenic Sensors
Published on: February 7, 2018
Chemopreventive mechanism of action by oxidative stress and toxicity induced surface decorated selenium nanoparticles
Soumya Menon1, Venkat Kumar Shanmugam1
1School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, India.
Background:
Scientists are working on creating novel materials that can help in the treatment of diverse cancer-related diseases having trademark highlights like the target siting, specificity, improved therapeutic index of radiotherapy and chemotherapeutic treatments. The utilization of novel nanomaterials which are surface adorned with drugs or natural compounds can be used in diverse medical applications and helps in setting up a new platform for its improvement in the chemotherapeutic potentiality. One such nanomaterial is the trace element selenium in its nanoparticulate form that has been proved to be a potential chemotherapeutic agent recently.
Methods:
The English language papers were gathered from electronic databases like Sciencedirect, Pub Med, Google Scholar and Scopus, the papers are published from 2001 to 2019.
Results:
In the initial phase, approximately 200 papers were searched upon, out of which 118 articles were included after screening and critical reviewing. The information included was also tabulated for better knowledge and easy read. These articles contain information on the nanotechnology, inflammation, cancer and selenium as nanoparticles.
Conclusion:
The overview of the paper explains the enhancement of potentiality of anticancer drugs or phytochemicals which restricts its utilization in chemotherapeutic applications by the encapsulation or adsorption of them on selenium nanoparticles proven to accelerate the anticancerous properties with better results when compared with individual components. SeNPs (selenium nanoparticles) have demonstrated chemotherapeutic activity due to pro-oxidant property, where the anti-oxidant enzymes are stimulated to produce reactive active species, which induces oxidative stress, followed by activation of the apoptotic signalling pathway, cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial dysfunction and other pathways that ultimately lead to cell death. Selenium in nanoparticulate form can be used as a micronutrient to human health, thereby having low toxicity, can easily be degraded and also has good biocompatibility.
Insights
Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) enhance the efficacy of anticancer drugs and phytochemicals. SeNPs exhibit anticancer activity through pro-oxidant effects, inducing cell death and offering a biocompatible, low-toxicity alternative for cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology and Materials Science
- Oncology and Cancer Research
- Pharmacology and Drug Delivery
Background:
- Novel nanomaterials are being developed for targeted cancer treatment, enhancing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
- Selenium in nanoparticulate form (SeNPs) shows promise as a chemotherapeutic agent.
- Surface-adorned nanomaterials offer a platform for improved drug delivery and therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) in cancer therapy.
- To evaluate the role of SeNPs in enhancing the efficacy of existing anticancer treatments.
- To explore the mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of SeNPs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of English language papers from 2001-2019.
- Databases searched include Sciencedirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus.
- Screening and critical review of approximately 200 initial papers, with 118 included for analysis.
Main Results:
- Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) enhance the anticancer properties of drugs and phytochemicals through encapsulation or adsorption.
- SeNPs demonstrate chemotherapeutic activity via a pro-oxidant mechanism, inducing oxidative stress.
- The review identified SeNPs as a significant area of research in nanotechnology for cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) significantly boost the efficacy of anticancer agents.
- SeNPs induce cancer cell death through oxidative stress, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Selenium in nanoparticulate form is a biocompatible, biodegradable, low-toxicity agent with potential as a micronutrient and therapeutic agent.
More Related Videos
05:16Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Measurement of Intracellular ROS Levels in Hepatocellular Lines
Published on: January 19, 2024
12:59Assessment of Oxidative Damage in the Primary Mouse Ocular Surface Cells/Stem Cells in Response to Ultraviolet-C UV-C Damage
Published on: February 15, 2020
