Nanotoxicology and in vitro studies: The need of the hour (original) (raw)
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Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Biomedical Application: Nanotoxicology
Journal of Toxicology, 2021
Nanoparticles are of great importance in development and research because of their application in industries and biomedicine. The development of nanoparticles requires proper knowledge of their fabrication, interaction, release, distribution, target, compatibility, and functions. This review presents a comprehensive update on nanoparticles’ toxic effects, the factors underlying their toxicity, and the mechanisms by which toxicity is induced. Recent studies have found that nanoparticles may cause serious health effects when exposed to the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact without caution. The extent to which toxicity is induced depends on some properties, including the nature and size of the nanoparticle, the surface area, shape, aspect ratio, surface coating, crystallinity, dissolution, and agglomeration. In all, the general mechanisms by which it causes toxicity lie on its capability to initiate the formation of reactive species, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity, among others.
Nanotoxicology: Factors, affecting toxicity
Nanotoxicology: Factors, affecting toxicity, 2018
Nanotoxicology evaluates the relationship between the structure properties of nanoparticles and toxic hazard, which is of considerable importance prior to clinical application of nanosystems. In spite of the introduction of nanotoxicology in regulatory affairs and the elucidation of some physicochemical structure – toxicity relationships by means of in vitro and in vivo research of nanomedicines, the acquired knowledge still does not allow the prediction of chronic toxicity, especially subtle ways of cell function impairment such as carcinogenesis in humans. This review focuses on potential nanoparticle toxicity after dermal or inhalation exposure. Special emphasis is given to intravenous administration of nanoparticles and the related hematotoxicity. Here, we discuss the main factors, affecting the toxicity of nanoparticles for medical application, namely size, surface charge, chemical composition and the interaction with biological matrices.
Toxicology and clinical potential of nanoparticles
In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have increasingly found practical applications in technology, research and medicine. The small particle size coupled to their unique chemical and physical properties is thought to underlie their exploitable biomedical activities. Here, we review current toxicity studies of NPs with clinical potential. Mechanisms of cytotoxicity are discussed and the problem of extrapolating knowledge gained from cell-based studies into a human scenario is highlighted. The so-called 'proof-of-principle' approach, whereby ultra-high NP concentrations are used to ensure cytotoxicity, is evaluated on the basis of two considerations; firstly, from a scientific perspective, the concentrations used are in no way related to the actual doses required which, in many instances, discourages further vital investigations. Secondly, these inaccurate results cast doubt on the science of nanomedicine and thus, quite dangerously, encourage unnecessary alarm in the public. In this context, the discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo results are described along with the need for a unifying protocol for reliable and realistic toxicity reports.
Review of In vitro Toxicity of Nanoparticles and Nanorods: Part 1
Cytotoxicity, 2018
The specific use of engineered nanostructures in biomedical applications has become very attractive, due to their ability to interface and target specific cells and tissues to execute their functions. Additionally, there is continuous progress in research on new nanostructures with unique optical, magnetic, catalytic, and electrochemical properties that can be exploited for therapeutic or diagnostic methods. On the other hand, as nanostructures become widely used in many different applications, the unspecific exposure of humans to them is also unavoidable. Therefore, studying and understanding the toxicity of such materials is of increasing importance. Previously published reviews regarding the toxicological effects of nanostructures focuses mostly on the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles and their internalization, activated signaling pathways, and cellular response. Here, the most recent studies on the in vitro cytotoxicity of NPs, nanowires, and nanorods for biomedical applications are reviewed and divided into two parts. The first part considers nonmagnetic metallic and magnetic nanostructures. While part 2 covers carbon structures and semiconductors. The factors influencing the toxicity of these nanostructures are elaborated, to help elucidating the effects of these nanomaterials on cells, which is a prerequisite for their save clinical use.
In Vivo Toxicity of Nanoparticles: Modalities and Treatment
European Chemical Bulletin, 2014
In the present scenario, the burgeoning field of nanotechnology is playing central role in various real world applications. Researches engrossing nanoparticles are evolving at a rapid pace owing to which engineered nanomaterials are increasingly becoming part of daily life in the form of cosmetics, food packaging, drug delivery, therapeutics, biosensors, etc. It is intrigued that the properties of nanoparticles which bestow them their unique physicochemical characteristics could also lead to adverse biological consequences such as increased uptake and interaction with the biological systems. Nanomaterials, due to their small size could enter the body through various semi open anatomical interfaces and can penetrate through cells and organelles and disrupt their normal function, which could lead to tissue inflammation, altered cellular redox balance or even cell death. Nanoparticles unlike larger particles can transverse through the circulatory/lymphatic to various vital organs of th...
Toxicological considerations of clinically applicable nanoparticles
Nano Today, 2011
In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have increasingly found practical applications in technology, research and medicine. The small particle size coupled to their unique chemical and physical properties is thought to underlie their exploitable biomedical activities. Here, we review current toxicity studies of NPs with clinical potential. Mechanisms of cytotoxicity are discussed and the problem of extrapolating knowledge gained from cell-based studies into a human scenario is highlighted. The so-called 'proof-of-principle' approach, whereby ultra-high NP concentrations are used to ensure cytotoxicity, is evaluated on the basis of two considerations; firstly, from a scientific perspective, the concentrations used are in no way related to the actual doses required which, in many instances, discourages further vital investigations. Secondly, these inaccurate results cast doubt on the science of nanomedicine and thus, quite dangerously, encourage unnecessary alarm in the public. In this context, the discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo results are described along with the need for a unifying protocol for reliable and realistic toxicity reports.
Cellular and Organismal Toxicity of Nanoparticles and Its Associated Health Concerns
NanoBioMedicine, 2020
The demand for nanotechnology in biomedical science is escalating rapidly as novel nanomaterials help in rebuilding the life of patients suffering from serious health conditions. Nanomaterials are widely used for biomedical applications such as drug delivery carriers, diagnostic agents, image-contrasting agents, tissue engineering, targeted cancer therapy, and so on. However, due to poor understanding of mechanisms at the nanoscale, nature had to deal with the negative face of the nanotechnology broadly called as nanotoxicity. Nanotoxicology is therefore the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials at the cellular, organism, and environmental levels. Variety of nanoparticles (NPs) prepared from sources like metals, semiconductors, polymers, and lipids behave differently in cells due to the difference in their surface functionality, size and shape anisotropy, charge and dispersity in polar or nonpolar solvents, etc. Therefore, since the last decade, the scientific community has shown keen interest to understand the NPs toxicity at different biological levels of the organization. Cellular toxicity is mainly due to the intervention of NPs in cellular processes leading to oxidative stress, altered signaling, proliferation, and death pathways. Nanotoxicity in organism level causes defects in physiological functioning, behavior, and reproduction. Herein, this chapter enlightens various effects of commonly used NPs at cellular level as well as in organisms that may have implications linked to serious abnormal conditions such as cancer, diabetes, neurodisorders, cardiovascular, and hepatotoxicity.
Critical Review on the Toxicity of Some Widely Used Engineered Nanoparticles
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2015
With tremendous increase in development of nanotechnology, there is a developing enthusiasm towards the application of nanoparticles in diverse areas. Carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, quantum dots, dendrimers, iron oxide, silica, gold and silver nanoparticles are frequently used in different applications such as drug delivery, as ceramic materials, semiconductors, electronics, in medicine, cosmetics, etc. Some of these nanoparticles have shown major toxic effects on fauna, flora and human beings like inflammation, cytotoxicity, tissue ulceration and reduction of cell viability. SWCNT and MWCNT can induce oxidative stress and fibrosis in the lungs of rat and mice. SWCNTs can also induce oxidative stress to the nervous system in human beings. Inflammatory injury and respiratory distress can be observed due to TiO 2 nanoparticles with small diameter. Nanoparticles can also pose detrimental effects on plants such as decreased growth rate, genomic and proteomic changes, etc. Toxicity of nanoparticles arises because of their specific characteristics such as greater 'surface area to volume ratio' compared with bulk particles of the same chemistry. The objective of this review is to critically evaluate the current literature on the toxicity of nanoparticles.
Nowadays more than thousands of different nanoparticles are known, though no well-defined guidelines to evaluate their potential toxicity and to control their exposure are fully provided. The way of entry of nanoparticles together with their specificities such as chemistry, chemical composition, size, shape or morphology, surface charge and area can influence their biological activities and effects. A specific property may give rise to either a safe particle or to a dangerous one. The small size allows nanoparticles to enter the body by crossing several barriers, to pass into the blood stream and lymphatic system from where they can reach organs and tissues and strictly interact with biological structures, thus damaging their normal functions in different ways. This review provides a summary of what is known on the toxicology related to the specificity of nanoparticles, both as technological tools or ambient pollutants. The aim is to highlight their potential hazard and to provide a balanced update on all the important questions and directions that should be focused in the near future.