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Bismuth oxide nanoparticles induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells

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Abstract

Metal nanomaterials such as bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi2O3NPs) have been extensively used in cosmetics, dental materials, pulp capping, and biomedical imaging. There is little knowledge about the health risk of Bi2O3NPs in humans, which warrants a thorough toxicity investigation of Bi2O3NPs at the cellular level. In this experiment, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of Bi2O3NPs on human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells over 24 and 48 h. MCF-7 cells were exposed to Bi2O3NPs at varying doses (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5, 10, 20, 40 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 h. We assessed the toxicity of Bi2O3NPs by measuring its effect on the viability and oxidative stress biomarkers, e.g., GSH, SOD, and catalase in MCF-7 cells. The pro-apoptotic effects of Bi2O3NPs on MCF-7 cells were determined via evaluating dysfunction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), caspase-3 activity, externalization of phosphatidylserine, and chromosome condensation. Furthermore, apoptotic cells were evaluated using 7-AAD fluorescence stain and Annexin V-FITC. Bi2O3NPs induced oxidative stress in MCF-7 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Bi2O3NPs increased the rate of both necrotic cells and apoptotic cells. In addition, the blue fluorescence of MCF-7 cells with condensed chromatin was increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the present study highlights the potential toxic effects of Bi2O3NPs at the cellular level and suggests further investigation of Bi2O3NPs before any medical purposes.

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Funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the International Scientific Partnership Program (ISPP) at King Saud University for funding this research work through ISPP#009.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Center for Pharmaceutical Technology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Ali Alamer, Abdulaziz Almalik & Ali H Alhasan

  2. Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Daoud Ali, Saud Alarifi, Abdullah Alkahtane, Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim, Gadah Albasher, Rafa Almeer, Nouf K. Al-Sultan & Saad Alkahtani

  3. Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammed AL-Zharani

  4. Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt

    Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim

  5. National Center for Pharmaceuticals, Life science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Abdulaziz Almalik & Ali H Alhasan

  6. Department of Biochemistry, University of Crete Medical School, Voutes, Greece

    Christos Stournaras

  7. Department of Pharmacy, Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula, Amroha, UP, India

    Saquib Hasnain

Authors
  1. Ali Alamer
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  2. Daoud Ali
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  3. Saud Alarifi
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  4. Abdullah Alkahtane
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  5. Mohammed AL-Zharani
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  6. Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
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  7. Gadah Albasher
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  8. Rafa Almeer
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  9. Nouf K. Al-Sultan
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  10. Abdulaziz Almalik
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  11. Ali H Alhasan
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  12. Christos Stournaras
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  13. Saquib Hasnain
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  14. Saad Alkahtani
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Contributions

Ali Alamer, Daoud Ali, Saud Alarifi, and Abdullah Alkahtane acquired and analyzed the data regarding the cytotoxicity of Bi2O3NPs. Mohammed AL-Zharani and Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim acquired and analyzed the data regarding physiochemical characterization of Bi2O3NPs and oxidative stress biomarkers. Gadah Albasher and Rafa Almeer acquired and analyzed the data regarding apoptotic markers. Abdulaziz Almalik and Ali H Alhasan contributed in writing the manuscript. Nouf K. Al-Sultan and Ali Alamer contributed in statistical analysis. Christos Stournaras, Saquib Hasnain, and Saad alkahtani were involved in the conception and design of the study and data interpretation, and critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Saad Alkahtani.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Alamer, A., Ali, D., Alarifi, S. et al. Bismuth oxide nanoparticles induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 7379–7389 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10913-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10913-x

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