Abstract
Currently, cadmium selenide nanoparticles (CdSe NPs) have been used in various biological and medical applications. However, there is a few data of toxicity pertaining to CdSe NPs. In the present study, we have designed to investigate the cytotoxicity and apoptosis of CdSe NPs in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. HepG2 cells treated with CdSe NPs (1, 5, 10, 25 mu g/ml) exhibited changed morphology, reduced viability, and a significant level of detectable reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and fragmented-shaped nuclei. CdSe NPs at concentration 10 mu g/ml unveil obvious cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cells, which was positively correlated intracellular reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. However, a significant increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxide (LPO) was observed. After treatment of CdSe NPs, the lipid peroxide level was increased and GSH was decreased in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, we used AO/PI staining to find out chromosome condensation by using confocal microscope which is an early marker of apoptosis and more fragmented chromatin was observed at higher concentration of CdSe NPs. This study suggests that CdSe NPs plays a significant role in the inducing of cytotoxicity, apoptosis and genetic instability.