Antiangiogenic evaluation of ZnWO₄ nanoparticles synthesised through microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

Abstract

Angiogenesis, the complex process of formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing blood vessels, which involves the participation of several pro- and anti-angiogenic factors, is implicated in many physiological and pathological conditions. Nanoparticle-based anti-angiogenic activity at the tumour tissue, harnessed by the Enhanced Permeability and Retention Effect (EPR effect), could potentially become a breakthrough therapy to halt tumour progression. Herein, we evaluate the anti-angiogenic effect of ZnWO₄ nanoparticles (NPs). The nanoparticles were obtained by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis (MAHS) at 120 °C for 60 min and were structurally characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro-Raman (MR) spectroscopy. The mean size and polydispersity index were estimated by Zeta potential analysis. The XRD analysis revealed structural organisation at a long-range order, with an average crystallite size of around 3.67 nm, while MR revealed short-range order for ZnWO₄. The anti-angiogenic potential of zinc tungstate nanoparticles was investigated through the chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) using fertilised chicken eggs. We demonstrate, in an unprecedented way, that nanocrystalline ZnWO₄ NPs obtained by MAHS, at low reaction temperatures, showed excellent anti-angiogenic properties even at low concentrations. The ZnWO₄ NPs were further evaluated for its cytotoxicity in vitro.

Keywords:

• Zinc tungstate oxide nanoparticles
• ZnWO₄ microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis
• ZnWO₄ antiangiogenic activity
• ZnWO₄ cytotoxic evaluation

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interests.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), A Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP): (01.13.0343.02), Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) (APQ-03589-16) and Rede Mineira de Química for their financial support.