Chemically synthesized CdSe quantum dots inhibit growth of human lung carcinoma cells via ROS generation

Authors

  • Aditya Kumar Jigyasu Department of Physics, Integral University, Lucknow-226026, India
  • Sahabjada Siddiqui Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226007, India
  • Mohatashim Lohani Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow-226026, India
  • Irfan Ali Khan Department of Physics, Integral University, Lucknow-226026, India
  • Md Arshad Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226007, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2015-705

Keywords:

CdSe quantum dots, transmission electron microscope, A549, reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs), semiconducting materials have potential applications in the field of electronic and biomedical applications including cancer therapy. In present study, cadmium selenide (CdSe) QDs were synthesized by chemical method. Octadecene was used as non-coordinating solvent which facilitated the formation of colloidal solutions of nanoparticles. CdSe QDs were characterized by UV-vis spectrometer and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The size measured by TEM was varied between 2-5 nm depending upon temperature. The cytotoxic activity of QDs was monitored by MTT assay, nuclear condensation, ROS activity and DNA fragmentation assay on human lung epithelial A549 cell line. Cells were treated with different concentrations of varying size of CdSe QDs for 24 h. CdSe QDs induced significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent cytotoxicity and this was comparable to the sizes of particles. Smaller particles were more cytotoxic to the large particles. Fluorescence microscopic analysis revealed that QDs induced oxidative stress generating significant ROS level and consequently, induced nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation. Study suggested the cytotoxicity of CdSe QDs via ROS generation and DNA fragmentation depending upon particles size.

Published

2016-01-20

How to Cite

Jigyasu, A. K., Siddiqui, S., Lohani, M., Khan, I. A., & Arshad, M. (2016). Chemically synthesized CdSe quantum dots inhibit growth of human lung carcinoma cells via ROS generation. EXCLI Journal, 15, 54–63. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2015-705

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Section

Original articles

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