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Published on: January 15, 2015
Sol-gel synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of selenium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles for biomedical
Hossein Javid1,2,3, Hamed Amiri1, Seyedeh Fatemeh Hashemi4
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract:
Over the past few years, ovarian cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Despite the widespread knowledge of its prevalence, the curative measures and survival rates for ovarian cancer have not improved significantly, making it a challenging condition. Nanotechnology has become increasingly prominent in the field of cancer treatment. Previous studies showed both cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) and selenium (Se) had anti-cancer. Therefore, doping selenium into CONPs may exhibit a more significant anti-cancer effect on ovarian cancer cells. Cerium nitrate hexahydrate, sodium selenite, and gelatin were employed for the production of CONPs and Se-doped CONPs. The EDX, XRD, and TEM/PSA imaging were employed to investigate the structural characteristics and morphology of the synthesized Se-doped CONPs. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and TNF, IL-6, and IL-1B gene expression were evaluated after inoculating A2780 human epithelial ovarian carcinoma (HEOC) with Se-doped CONP. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni's t-test for multiple group comparisons. Se-doped CONPs had IC50 of 113 and 49 PPM after 24 and 48 h, respectively. In addition, Se-doped CONPs with concentrations of 50 and 100 PPM significantly reduced to ROS levels in the HEOC cell line. Also, 50 and 100 PPM Se-doped CONPs lead to significantly reduced TNF, IL-6, and IL-1B gene expression compared to the control group in the HEOC cell line. Our study showed the potential anti-cancer effects of Se-doped CONPs on ovarian cancer cell lines.
Insights
Selenium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles (Se-doped CONPs) show significant potential in combating ovarian cancer. This novel nanomaterial effectively reduced cancer cell viability and inflammatory markers in ovarian cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Materials Science
- Oncology
Background:
- Ovarian cancer remains a significant health challenge with limited treatment advancements.
- Nanotechnology offers promising avenues for novel cancer therapies.
- Both cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) and selenium (Se) have demonstrated anti-cancer properties individually.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize selenium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles (Se-doped CONPs).
- To evaluate the anti-cancer efficacy of Se-doped CONPs against human epithelial ovarian carcinoma (HEOC) cells.
- To investigate the impact of Se-doped CONPs on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory gene expression in HEOC cells.
Main Methods:
- Se-doped CONPs were synthesized using cerium nitrate hexahydrate, sodium selenite, and gelatin.
- Structural and morphological characterization was performed using EDX, XRD, and TEM/PSA imaging.
- HEOC cells were treated with Se-doped CONPs, and cell viability, ROS levels, and gene expression (TNF, IL-6, IL-1B) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Se-doped CONPs exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 113 and 49 PPM at 24 and 48 hours, respectively.
- Treatment with Se-doped CONPs (50 and 100 PPM) significantly reduced ROS levels in HEOC cells.
- Se-doped CONPs significantly downregulated TNF, IL-6, and IL-1B gene expression in HEOC cells compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Se-doped CONPs demonstrate significant anti-cancer potential against ovarian cancer cell lines.
- The mechanism involves reduction of ROS and inflammatory cytokine expression.
- This study highlights Se-doped CONPs as a promising candidate for ovarian cancer therapy.

