We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Structural parameters of nanoparticles affecting their toxicity for biomedical applications: a review
Summary
Researchers reviewed how the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles — including size, shape, surface charge, and material type — influence their toxicity in living cells and tissues, with relevance to both medical applications and environmental exposures like nanoplastics. Smaller particles are generally more toxic because they have greater surface area and can more easily penetrate cell membranes and trigger oxidative stress.
Rapidly growing interest in using nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical applications has increased concerns about their safety and toxicity. In comparison with bulk materials, NPs are more chemically active and toxic due to the greater surface area and small size. Understanding the NPs' mechanism of toxicity, together with the factors influencing their behavior in biological environments, can help researchers to design NPs with reduced side effects and improved performance. After overviewing the classification and properties of NPs, this review article discusses their biomedical applications in molecular imaging and cell therapy, gene transfer, tissue engineering, targeted drug delivery, Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, cancer treatment, wound healing, and anti-bacterial applications. There are different mechanisms of toxicity of NPs, and their toxicity and behaviors depend on various factors, which are elaborated on in this article. More specifically, the mechanism of toxicity and their interactions with living components are discussed by considering the impact of different physiochemical parameters such as size, shape, structure, agglomeration state, surface charge, wettability, dose, and substance type. The toxicity of polymeric, silica-based, carbon-based, and metallic-based NPs (including plasmonic alloy NPs) have been considered separately.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Recent advances in toxicological research of nanoplastics in the environment: A review
Researchers systematically reviewed nanoplastic toxicology, finding that surface charge and particle size are the dominant determinants of harm — positively charged and smaller particles penetrate cell membranes more readily — and that adsorbed contaminants released inside organisms often pose greater toxicological risks than the nanoplastic particles themselves.
Health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics: key influencing factors, limitations, and future perspectives
This review systematically analyzed how the physicochemical properties of micro- and nanoplastics — including size, shape, surface charge, and polymer type — determine their toxicological impacts across biological systems. The authors argue that property-based frameworks are essential for predicting MNP health risks and designing relevant research.
An updated overview of some factors that influence the biological effects of nanoparticles
This review provides an updated look at how the size, shape, chemical composition, and surface properties of nanoparticles influence their biological effects when they enter the body. Researchers summarize how these physical characteristics determine how nanoparticles interact with proteins, cell receptors, and other biological molecules. The study highlights the importance of understanding these factors for both the safe design of medical nanoparticles and for assessing environmental nanoparticle risks.
Insights into the toxicity of biomaterials microparticles with a combination of cellular and oxidative biomarkers
This study assessed the toxicity of biomaterial microparticles including natural and synthetic polymers using cellular viability and oxidative stress biomarkers, finding that particle type, size, and surface chemistry all influenced cytotoxic potential.
Important Factors Affecting Induction of Cell Death, Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage by Nano- and Microplastic Particles In Vitro
This review examines what makes tiny plastic particles more or less toxic to cells, finding that smaller particles, longer exposure times, higher concentrations, and positive electrical charges all increase harm. Importantly, the study shows that nanoplastics can penetrate cells, generate damaging molecules called reactive oxygen species, and cause DNA damage, with normal cells being more vulnerable than cancer cells.