Green synthesis and biological characterization of cerium oxide nanoemulsion against human HT-29 colon cancer cell line

ABSTRACT

In this research, the cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) were synthesized using Spirulina platensis microalgae. CeO2-NPs were nano-encapsulated based on ultrasonic emulsification method. Morphology, size, and stability of cerium oxide nanoemulsion (CeO2-NE) were verified by TEM, SEM, DLS, and zeta-potential. Antioxidant, antimicrobial against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and cytotoxic (on cancer cell line HT-29 and normal cell HFF) were performed comparatively between CeO2-NE and CeO2-NPs. Apoptotic and antioxidant related genes expression were determined in HT-29 treated cells with the CeO2-NE by Q-PCR. The CeO2-NE showed a much greater effect on anticancer activity, growth inhibition of two bacterial strains, antioxidant capacity, and reduction of ferric ions. Overexpression of caspase-3, caspase-8 and, caspase-9 of CeO2-NE confirmed apoptosis. Upregulation of superoxide dismutase attributed to the cellular redox potential of CeO2-NE in HT-29 cells. In conclusion, the CeO2-NE provides more efficient biological applications that could turn it into a promising factor for cancer treatment.  

KEYWORDS:

• Cerium oxide nanoemulsion
• Spirulina platensis
• colon cancer cells
• cytotoxicity
• apoptosis

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the support provided by Research and Technology council of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran (Grant number: 3/50639, 1398/06/26).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).