Cellular toxicity of inorganic hydroxide nanoparticles.
Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), anionic clays, have attracted increasing interest as nanovehicles for delivering genes, drugs, and bio-active molecules into cells. However, no attempts have been made to evaluate the potential undesirable effects of LDH nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity of LDHs with different chemical compositions (ZnAl- and MgAl-LDH) was systematically evaluated in various cell types, such as human normal cells, carcinoma cells, and red blood cells, by measuring cell viability, cell proliferation, membrane damage, and hemolytic effect. No significant cytotoxic effects could be seen in both cases, but ZnAl-LDH was determined to be slightly more toxic than MgAl-LDH in terms of membrane damage and hemolysis induction. It is, therefore, expected that LDHs could be promising candidates for novel inorganic drug delivery carriers.
Center for Intelligent Nano-Bio Materials, Division of Nanoscience and Department of Chemistry, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, Korea.
Soo-Jin
SJ
Choi
Jae-Min
JM
Oh
Taeun
T
Park
Jin-Ho
JH
Choy
D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077215:Clay; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D006878:Hydroxides; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals; D000077215:Clay