Nanoceria as Antioxidant: Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The therapeutic application of nanomaterials has been a focus of numerous studies in the past decade. Due to its unique redox properties, cerium oxide (ceria) is finding widespread use in the treatment of medical disorders caused by the reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). The radical-scavenging role of ceria nanoparticles (nanoceria) have been established, as well as the autocatalytic ability of nanoceria to regenerate under various environmental conditions. The synthesis of nanoceria in biocompatible media has also been reported along with cell viability in order to determine the potential use of nanoceria in biomedical applications.

Figure 1

High-resolution transmission-electron micrographs of nanoceria samples prepared in different biocompatible media. (a) Nanoceria in dextran (alkaline conditions). (b) Nanoceria in dextran (acidic conditions). (c) High-magnification image of nanoceria synthesized in dextran (acidic conditions) confirming the crystalline nature of the material as well as individual 3–5 nm particle size. (d) Nanoceria in polyethylene glycol. (e) High-magnification image of nanoceria synthesized in polyethylene glycol showing 3–5 nm particle size. (f) Nanoceria in water. A clear distinction in agglomeration can be seen by varying the medium as well as the pH.

Figure 2

Percent viability of human epidermal keratinocyte (HEK) cells treated with nanoceria in (a) water, (b) dextran, and (c) PEG after 24 hours of treatment. Histogram with different letters (a, b, c) denote mean values that are statistically different at p<0.05.