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Synthesis and its characterisation of selenium/silver/chitosan and cellular toxicity against liver carcinoma cells
Fateme Momen Eslamieh-Ei1, Negar Sharifimoghaddammood2, Samira Amin Poustchi Tousi2
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract:
Liver cancer is one of the most common lethal malignancy in the world. To treat liver cancer, new cure options are crucial. The use of natural substances along nanosciences may provide healing with lower toxicity and a smaller amount of side properties. In this research, The three-component selenium-silver-chitosan nanocomposite (Se-Ag-CS NCs) were synthesised with the help of ultrasound in a stepwise manner. The as-synthesised Se-Ag-CS NCs were characterised accordingly by applying powder X-Ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and potential. The PXRD demonstrated that the NCs were synthesised successfully and the grain sizes of 27.3 were obtained. The FESEM and TEM analyses have shown the NCs have a nano-sized structure with spherical and rod-like morphologies in a coating of CS. The DLS analysis also revealed that NCs were synthesised in nanoscale particles. The NCs' surface charge was also positive due to the presence of chitosan. Different concentrations of NCs (0, 0.125, 0.250, 0.500, and 1 mg/ml) were tested at different times (24, 48, and 72 h) to measure cytotoxicity against liver cancer cells. The results showed at a concentration of 1 mg/mL in 72 h, the most toxicity effects were applied to liver cancer cells. Moreover, the results indicated NCs can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, while the toxicity of nanocomposite on normal cells was less. It is important to create nanocomposites derived from natural polymers as a new strategy in cancer treatment that can fight cancer cells while having low toxicity for normal cells. Therefore, the present results can be considered in improving cancer-fighting methods.
Insights
New selenium-silver-chitosan nanocomposites show promise for liver cancer treatment. These natural polymer-derived nanoparticles effectively target cancer cells with reduced toxicity to normal cells.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Natural substances combined with nanosciences offer potential for cancer treatment with reduced side effects.
- Developing effective and less toxic treatments for liver cancer is a critical unmet medical need.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel three-component selenium-silver-chitosan nanocomposite (Se-Ag-CS NCs).
- To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of Se-Ag-CS NCs against liver cancer cells.
- To assess the potential of Se-Ag-CS NCs as a new therapeutic approach for liver cancer with low toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Se-Ag-CS NCs were synthesized using an ultrasound-assisted, stepwise method.
- Characterization involved techniques such as PXRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, TEM, and DLS.
- Cytotoxicity assays were performed on liver cancer cells at various concentrations (0-1 mg/mL) and time points (24-72 h).
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of nano-sized Se-Ag-CS NCs with spherical and rod-like morphologies was confirmed.
- PXRD indicated successful synthesis with a grain size of 27.3 nm.
- Cytotoxicity studies revealed significant inhibition of liver cancer cell growth at 1 mg/mL concentration over 72 h, demonstrating a dose-dependent effect.
- The nanocomposite exhibited lower toxicity towards normal cells compared to cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized Se-Ag-CS NCs possess potent anti-cancer properties against liver cancer cells.
- The nanocomposite demonstrates a favorable therapeutic index, with higher efficacy against cancer cells and lower toxicity to normal cells.
- These findings support the development of natural polymer-derived nanocomposites as a promising strategy for improved liver cancer treatment.
