Effect of size and processing method on the cytotoxicity of realgar nanoparticles in cancer cell lines

Figures & data

Figure 1 Particle size distribution of the realgar nanoparticles milled with sodium dodecyl sulfate for 4, 8, and 12 hours.

Table 1 Particle size of realgar nanoparticles milled with different sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentrations

	Size (nm)	Polydispersity index
Crude realgar	–	0.892 ± 0.145
Realgar milled without additive	328.3 ± 3.7	0.522 ± 0.095
SDS at 1.24 g/L	249.8 ± 5.3	0.493 ± 0.213
SDS at 2.48 g/L	127.5 ± 4.6	0.242 ± 0.103

Figure 2 Representative SEM image of the realgar nanoparticles milled for 12 hours.

Table 2 As₂O₃ content in realgar nanoparticles (RN) and zeta potential treated by different processing methods

	Size (nm)	Polydispersity index	Zeta potential (mV)	As2O3 content (mg/g)
Crude realgar	–	0.892 ± 0.145	0.83 ± 0.3	2.82
Realgar milled without additive	328.4 ± 3.7	0.522 ± 0.095	0.93 ± 0.5	11.25
RN with SDS	127.5 ± 4.6	0.172 ± 0.103	−17.85 ± 1.7	9.75
Elutriation	109.3 ± 3.7	0.105 ± 0.112	−18.01 ± 2.3	3.50
Water cleaning	124.2 ± 4.1	0.195 ± 0.098	−16.94 ± 1.8	5.66
Acid cleaning	129.6 ± 4.9	0.167 ± 0.093	−16.77 ± 1.1	4.75
Alkali cleaning	133.6 ± 5.6	0.170 ± 0.094	−17.1 ± 1.9	9.26

Figure 3 X-ray diffraction patterns of realgar: (A) untreated sample, (B) milled with sodium dodecyl sulfate for 12 hours.

Figure 4 Fourier infrared transform patterns of different types of realgar (A) crude realgar, (B) realgar nanoparticles milled for 12 hours.

Figure 5 Effect of realgar nanoparticles (RN) on viability of HepG-2 cells. Various concentrations of RN (A) and crude realgar (B) were added to the media: 400 μg/mL, 200 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, 25 μg/mL.

Figure 6 Effect of realgar nanoparticles (RN) on viability of MG-63 cells. Various concentrations of RN (A) and crude realgar (B) were added to the media: 400 μg/mL, 200 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, 25 μg/mL.

Figure 7 Cytotoxicity of the realgar milled for different times (4, 8, and 12 hours) and coarse realgar (CR) treatment in L-02 cells and HepG-2 cells for 72 hours and at a concentration of 400 μg/mL (compared with the L-02 group treated with the RN after milling for the same time).

Note: *P < 0.05.

Figure 8 Cytotoxicity of the realgar nanoparticles (RN) after different processing treatment in HepG-2 cells for 72 hours’ incubation. RN were added to the media: 400 μg/mL, 200 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, 25 μg/mL.

Abbreviations: ACI, acid cleaning; ALK, alkali cleaning; CR, control; E, elutriation; RN, realgar nanoparticle; WC, water cleaning.

Figure 9 Cytotoxicity of the realgar nanoparticles (RN, milled for 12 hours) and RN treated by elutriation (E-RN) in L-02 cells and HepG-2 cells for 72 hour at a concentration of 400 μg/mL.

Figure 10 Comparison of the cell viabilities of HepG-2 cells treated with different types of realgar nanoparticles (RN) for 24 hours (400 μg/mL).

Abbreviations: ACI, acid cleaning; ALK, alkali cleaning; E, elutriation; RN, realgar nanoparticle; WC, water cleaning.