Nanoceria, the versatile nanoparticles: Promising biomedical applications

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Nanotechnology enables precise tailoring of drug pharmacokinetics for biomedical applications.
• Nanomedicine utilizes nanotechnology for disease diagnosis, treatment, and management.
• Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) are metal oxide nanoparticles with significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the potential of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) for clinical applications.
• To assess the feasibility of advancing CNPs towards clinical studies.
• To discuss the potential negative impacts of CNPs alongside their benefits.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review and critical analysis of existing studies on CNPs.
• Evaluation of CNPs' ROS modulating properties and enzyme mimetic activities.
• Assessment of CNPs' surface chemistry and defect engineering for tunable reactivity.

Main Results:

• CNPs exhibit potent ROS scavenging activity due to their surface 'oxidation switch'.
• CNPs demonstrate protective effects against disorders associated with oxidative stress, such as cancer and diabetes.
• CNPs possess inherent catalase, SOD, oxidase, peroxidase, and phosphatase mimetic properties.

Conclusions:

• CNPs show significant therapeutic potential in nanomedicine, driven by their unique ROS scavenging and enzyme mimetic properties.
• Further critical evaluation is needed to address contradictory reports and potential negative impacts before clinical translation.
• This review provides a consensus on the feasibility of CNPs for clinical studies.