Toxicological assessment of magnesium oxide nanoparticles in HT29 intestinal cells

Armoring of MgO by a Passivation Layer Impedes Direct Air Capture of CO2

It has been proposed to use magnesium oxide (MgO) to separate carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere at the gigaton level. We show experimental results on MgO single crystals reacting with the atmosphere for longer (decades) and shorter (days to months) periods with the goal of gauging reaction rates. Here, we find a substantial slowdown of an initially fast reaction as a result of mineral armoring by reaction products (surface passivation). In short-term experiments, we observe fast hydroxylation, carbonation, and formation of amorphous hydrated magnesium carbonate at early stages, leading to the formation of crystalline hydrated Mg carbonates. The preferential location of Mg carbonates along the atomic steps on the crystal surface of MgO indicates the importance of the reactive site density for carbonation kinetics. The analysis of 27-year-old single-crystal MgO samples demonstrates that the thickness of the reacted layer is limited to ∼1.5 μm on average, which is thinner than expected and indicates surface passivation. Thus, if MgO is to be employed for direct air capture of CO2, surface passivation must be circumvented.

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Food Packaging and Their Influence on Human Health

It is a matter of common knowledge in the literature that engineered metal oxide nanoparticles have properties that are efficient for the design of innovative food/beverage packages. Although nanopackages have many benefits, there are circumstances when these materials are able to release nanoparticles into the food/beverage matrix. Once dispersed into food, engineered metal oxide nanoparticles travel through the gastrointestinal tract and subsequently enter human cells, where they display various behaviors influencing human health or wellbeing. This review article provides an insight into the antimicrobial mechanisms of metal oxide nanoparticles as essential for their benefits in food/beverage packaging and provides a discussion on the oral route of these nanoparticles from nanopackages to the human body. This contribution also highlights the potential toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles for human health. The fact that only a small number of studies address the issue of food packaging based on engineered metal oxide nanoparticles should be particularly noted.

Moringa oleifera gum capped MgO nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, cyto- and ecotoxicity assessment

Nano-based drug delivery research is increasing due to the therapeutic applications for human health care. However, traditional chemical capping-based synthesis methods lead to unwanted toxicity effects. Hence, there is an urgent need for green synthesis-based and biocompatible synthesis methods. The current work describes for the first time the green synthesis of Moringa gum-capped MgO nanoparticles (Mgm-MgO NPs). Their antioxidant activity, hemolysis potential, cytotoxicity, phytotoxicity, toxicity by chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) chick embryo assay and in vivo toxicity in zebrafish embryos were described. The Mgm-MgO NPs exhibited significant antioxidant activity. The Mgm-MgO NPs at 500 μg/ml produced significant hemolysis (72.54 %), while lower concentrations did not. Besides, the cytotoxicity assessment of the Mgm-MgO NPs was conducted in PA-1 cells from human ovarian teratocarcinoma by MTT assay. The Mgm-MgO NPs (0.1-500 μg/ml) considerably reduced the viability of PA-1 cells. Furthermore, Mgm-MgO NPs had no significant effect on seed germination but had a significant effect on root and shoot length of mungbean (Vigna radiata). Additionally, the CAM assay was used to analyze the antiangiogenic potential of Mgm-MgO NPs, exhibiting no significant alterations after 72 h. Finally, the zebrafish embryotoxicity assay revealed that the Mgm-MgO NPs (0.1-500 μg/ml) did not affect morphology, mortality or survival rate.

Magnetic, Optical and Phonon Properties of Ion-Doped MgO Nanoparticles. Application for Magnetic Hyperthermia

The influence of size and doping effects on the magnetization M, phonon ω and band gap energy Eg of MgO nanoparticles is studied using a microscopic model. The room-temperature ferromagnetism is due to surface or/and doping effects in MgO nanoparticles (NPs). The influence of the spin-phonon interaction is discussed. M increases with decreasing NP size. M and Eg can increase or decrease by different ion doping (Co, Al, La, Fe) due to the different strain that appears. It changes the lattice parameters and the exchange interaction constants. We found that MgO NP with size of 20 nm and Fe- or Co-doping concentration x = 0.1 and x = 0.2, respectively, have a Curie temperature TC = 315 K, i.e., they are appropriate for application in magnetic hyperthermia, they satisfy the conditions for that. The energy of the phonon mode ω = 448 cm-1 increases with decreasing NP size. It increases with increasing Co and Fe, or decreases with Sr ion doping.

The mechanistic effects of human digestion on magnesium oxide nanoparticles: implications for probiotics Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium bifidum VPI 1124

The effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on the human gut microbiota are of high interest due to the link between the gut homeostasis and overall human health. The human intake of metal oxide NPs has increased due to its use in the food industry as food additives. Specifically, magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) have been described as antimicrobial and antibiofilm. Therefore, in this work we investigated the effects of the food additive MgO-NPs, on the probiotic and commensal Gram-positive Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium bifidum VPI 1124. The physicochemical characterization showed that food additive MgO is formed by nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) and after a simulated digestion, MgO-NPs partially dissociate into Mg2+. Moreover, nanoparticulate structures containing magnesium were found embedded in organic material. Exposures to MgO-NPs for 4 and 24 hours increased the bacterial viability of both L. rhamnosus and B. bifidum when in biofilms but not when as planktonic cells. High doses of MgO-NPs significantly stimulated the biofilm development of L. rhamnosus, but not B. bifidum. It is likely that the effects are primarily due to the presence of ionic Mg2+. Evidence from the NPs characterization indicate that interactions bacteria/NPs are unfavorable as both structures are negatively charged, which would create repulsive forces.

Genotoxic hazard assessment of cerium oxide and magnesium oxide nanoparticles in Drosophila

The use of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) is steadily spreading, leading to increased environmental exposures to many organisms, including humans. To improve our knowledge of this potential hazard, we have evaluated the genotoxic risk of cerium oxide (CeO₂NPs) and magnesium oxide (MgONPs) nanoparticle exposures using Drosophila as an in vivo assay model. In this study, two well-known assays, such as the wing somatic mutation and recombination test (wing-spot assay) and the single-cell gel electrophoresis test (comet assay) were used. As a novelty, and for the first time, changes in the expression levels of a wide panel of DNA repair genes were also evaluated. Our results indicate that none of the concentrations of CeO₂NPs increased the total spot frequency in the wing-spot assay, while induction was observed at the highest dose of MgONPs. Regarding the comet assay, both tested NPs were unable to induce single DNA strand breaks or oxidative damage in DNA bases. Nevertheless, exposure to CeO₂NPs induced significant increases in the expression levels of the Mlh1 and Brca2 genes, which are involved in the double-strand break repair pathway, together with a decrease in the expression levels of the MCPH1 and Rad51D genes. Regarding the effects of MgONPs exposure, the expression levels of the Ercc1, Brca2, Rad1, mu2, and stg genes were significantly increased, while Mlh1 and MCPH1 genes were decreased. Our results show the usefulness of our approach in detecting mild genotoxic effects by evaluating changes in the expression of a panel of genes involved in DNA repair pathways.

Oxaliplatin induces ferroptosis and oxidative stress in HT29 colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Oxaliplatin is a third-generation platinum drug that is used as first-line chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC). Ferroptosis has been demonstrated to induce cell death and oxidative stress in CRC. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether oxaliplatin could exert anticancer effects on CRC by promoting ferroptosis and oxidative stress. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by performing Cell Counting Kit-8 and TUNEL assays, respectively, in the presence or absence of the ferroptosis inducer, erastin. Western blotting was performed to detect the levels of certain nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-associated proteins in HT29 cells treated with oxaliplatin. Furthermore, after treating cells with the Nrf2 activator, NK-252, Fe²⁺ was detected in cells using a commercial kit. Ferroptosis-associated protein expression was also evaluated via western blotting. Additionally, ELISA was adopted to measure the levels of oxidative stress-related factors. Following the addition of erastin, iron ion content, ferroptosis-related protein expression and the levels of oxidative stress-related factors were assayed as described previously. The results of the present study demonstrated that oxaliplatin inhibited viability and the Nrf2 signaling pathway in CRC cells. In addition, oxaliplatin promoted ferroptosis and oxidative stress in CRC cells by inhibiting the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Treatment with oxaliplatin enhanced the effects of erastin on CRC cells by promoting ferroptosis and oxidative stress and inhibiting cell viability. In conclusion, oxaliplatin induced ferroptosis and oxidative stress in CRC cells by inhibiting the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Establishment of a standardized dietary model for nanoparticles oral exposure studies

Food matrices could affect the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles (NPs) and define the biological effects of NPs via oral exposure compared with the pristine NPs. We established a standardized dietary model based on Chinese dietary reference intakes and Chinese dietary guidelines to mimic the exposure of NPs in real life and to evaluate further the biological effect and toxicity of NPs via oral exposure compared with current models. The standardized dietary model prepared from the primary emulsion was dried into powder using spray drying compared with commercial food powder and then was reconstituted compared with the fresh sample. The average particle size (295.59 nm), potential (-23.78 mV), viscosity (0.04 pa s), and colors (L*, a*, b* = 84.13, -0.116, 8.908) were measured and characterized of the fresh sample. The flowability (repose angle = 37.28° and slide angle = 36.75°), moisture (2.68%), colors (L*, a*, b* = 94.16, -0.27, 3.01), and bulk density (0.45 g/ml) were compared with commercial food powder. The size (310.75 nm), potential (-23.98 mV), and viscosity (0.04 pa s) of reconstituted model were similar to the fresh sample. Results demonstrated that the model was satisfy the characterizations of easy to fabrication, good stability, small particle size, narrow particle size distribution, strong practicability, and good reproducibility similar to most physiological food state and will be used to evaluate NPs' safety.

Green synthesized MgO nanoparticles infer biocompatibility by reducing in vivo molecular nanotoxicity in embryonic zebrafish through arginine interaction elicited apoptosis

Increasing demand for magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles (NP) due to their extensive use in different physical and biological applications has raised concern on their biocompatibility and toxicity to human health and ecological safety. This has instigated quest for detailed information on their toxicity mechanism, along with ecofriendly synthesis as a potential solution. This study explores the toxicity of MgO NP at the molecular level using embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio) and depicts the green synthesis of MgO (G-MgO) NP using the extract from a medicinal plant Calotropis gigantea. Synthesized G-MgO NP were characterized using microscopy, spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Stable 55 ± 10 nm sized MgO NP were generated with a zeta potential of 45 ± 15 mV and hydrodynamic size 110 ± 20 nm. UV-Vis spectrum showed a standard peak at 357 nm. Comparative cellular toxicity analysis showed higher biocompatibility of G-MgO NP compared to MgO NP with reference to the morphological changes, notochord development, and heartbeat rate in embryonic zebrafish LC50 of G-MgO NP was 520 μg/mL compared to 410 μg/mL of MgO NP. Molecular toxicity investigation revealed that the toxic effects of MgO NP was mainly due to the influential dysregulation in oxidative stress leading to apoptosis because of the accumulation and internalization of nanoparticles and their interaction with cellular proteins like Sod1 and p53, thereby affecting structural integrity and functionality. The study delineated the nanotoxicity of MgO NP and suggests the adoption and use of new green methodology for future production.