Abstract
Iron oxide–reduced graphene oxide (Fe3O4-RGO) nanocomposites have attracted enormous interest in the biomedical field. However, studies on biological response of Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites at the cellular and molecular level are scarce. This study was designed to synthesize, characterize, and explore the cytotoxicity of Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites in human liver (HepG2) cells. Potential mechanisms of cytotoxicity of Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites were further explored through oxidative stress. Prepared samples were characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that RGO induce dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. However, Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites were not toxic. We further noted that RGO induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells, as evidenced by mitochondrial membrane potential loss, higher caspase-3 enzyme activity, and cell cycle arrest. On the other hand, Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites did not alter these apoptotic parameters. Moreover, we observed that RGO increases intracellular reactive oxygen species and hydrogen peroxide while decrease antioxidant glutathione. Again, Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites did not exert oxidative stress. Altogether, we found that RGO significantly induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis and oxidative stress. However, Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites showed good biocompatibility to HepG2 cells. This study warrants further research to investigate the biological response of Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites at the gene and molecular level.
Highlights
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms in a tightly packed two-dimensional honeycomb lattice with unique structural, optoelectronic, thermal, and mechanical characteristics [1,2]
Optical characterization of Fe3 O4 NPs and Fe3 O4 -reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites was assessed by UV-visible spectroscopy
Optical2020, characterization of Fe3O4 NPs and Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites was assessed by UV-visible spectroscopy
Summary
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms in a tightly packed two-dimensional honeycomb lattice with unique structural, optoelectronic, thermal, and mechanical characteristics [1,2]. Due to unique physicochemical properties, graphene has shown great potential for various applications in fields such as energy and biomedicine [3,4]. Poor solubility of graphene in physiological media hindered its application in the biomedical field. Graphene derivatives such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) has received great attention due to their excellent solubility in physiological media, good biocompatibility at real human exposure level, cost effective production and ability to integrate with other nanomaterials [5,6]. The GO and RGO contains a large number of residual oxygen functional groups with a large number of surface defects. The oxygen functional groups and surface defects are very reactive and can be utilized in developing advanced
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