Tumoricidal effects of nanomaterials in HeLa cell line

Abstract

The current study exhibits the cellular response of HeLa (cervical cancer) cells to metal oxides ultrafine nanomaterials e.g. manganese dioxide nanowires (MnO2 NRs), iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) and zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) as bare and as conjugated with photosensitizers. For cytotoxic evaluations, the cellular morphology, (MTT) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were used for cases with and without photo sensitizer as well illuminated with UV-visible laser exposed conditions. Three different photosensitizers were tested. These are 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), Photofrin® and protopor phyrin dimethyl ester (PPDME). Significant loss in cell viability was noted with 100–500 μg/ml in bare and conjugated forms of the metal oxides used. The effect was insignificant with lower concentrations (0.05–50 μg/ml). While notable anticancer effect of 5-ALA under 30 J/cm2 of diode laser irradiation was noted as compared to other photo sensitizer. By increasing the UV irradiation time of labeled cells, generation of ROS was observed, indicating the possibility of achieving efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT).