Single and Multi-metal Oxide Nanoparticles Induced Cytotoxicity and ROS Generation in Human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells

The present study was designed to examine the cytotoxic activity of synthesized single metal oxide nanoparticles such as copper oxide (CuO), iron oxide (gamma Fe2O3) and multi-metal oxide zinc, iron and copper oxide (CuZnFe2O3) in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. These single and multi-metal oxide nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cytotoxic potential of these nanoparticles was assessed by MTT and NRU assays. Further, the morphological alterations, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were also studied. The novelty of the present work express that the MTT and NRU assays revealed a concentration dependent decrease in the viability of MCF-7 cells. The percent cell viability was recorded as 82%, 81%, and 79% in CuFeZn NPs, 81%, 80% and 70% in gamma Fe(2)O(3)NPs, 54%, 43% and 27% in CuONPs exposed MCF-7 cells for 24 h at doses 25, 50, 100 mu g/ml, respectively by MTT assay. The MTT results was also justified by NRU assay. An increase in ROS generation was observed as 21% and 35% in CuOFeZnNPs, 41% and 61% in gamma Fe(2)O(3)NPs and 54% and 89% in CuONPs and the decrease in MMP level was observed as 14% and 24% in CuOFeZn NPs, 37% and 46% in gamma Fe(2)O(3)NPs and 52% and 58% in CuONPs at 25 and 50 mu g/ml, respectively related to control. Together, these results suggest that the loss of MMP and increase in ROS level could be important mechanism of single and multi-metal oxide nanoparticles induced cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cells.