Selenium nanoparticles are less toxic than inorganic and organic selenium to mice in vivo

Nanoparticles (NPs) provide versatile means to reduce the toxicity, enhance bioactivity and improve targeting of cells. The antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects, or bioavailability and toxicity, of selenium depend on its chemical form. In the present study the effects of nano-selenium (Nano-Se) was compared with inorganic and organic selenium on the basis of their antioxidative activities and hematological parameters in Swiss albino mice. At an oral dose of 2 mg Se/kg b.w. per day administered for consecutive 28 days, both forms of selenium suppressed mice growth rather than Nano-Se. Abnormal liver and kidney function were more pronounced with selenite treatment than Nano-Se as indicated by the increase of hepatotoxic and renal toxic marker in serum and also confirmed by histological examination. After being treated with different forms of selenium it can be seen that the activity of enzymes have increased considerably in case of Nano-Se. Synthesized selenium nanoparticles, caused less bone marrow cell death and prevented DNA damage, compared to other forms of selenium. Our results suggest that Nano-Se as an antioxidant can serve as a potential chemopreventive agent with reduced risk of selenium toxicity.